Page 35 of Thrilled By Her Protector

She always kept extra in the office for late nights and what nots. Jennifer returned a moment later, unsurprised to see him still waiting, arms crossed over his massive chest. The gods clearly hated her, otherwise they would not have made Zircon the sexiest man on the planet.

His dark hair cascaded across his forehead, the color seeming to emphasize the crystalline blue of his eyes. He was sporting some serious scruff, and fuck, that only made him look hotter. Her body flushed, remembering the way he’d completely taken over her last night, owning her with his skill and sublime physique. She should have been embarrassed, but he’d made her feel so good.

“You keep looking at me like that, baby. Go on, I dare you,” he growled, and she could see him trembling with the effort it took to keep still.

“Ha! That’s unlikely, don’t you think?” she replied, putting toothpaste on her brush, and facing the sink and mirror.

She tried not to look at him, but couldn’t help it. He drew her eyes to him like a magnet. He had one eyebrow raised, making him look like some cocky, annoyed nobleman from times when ladies swooned, and men built towers and castles to protect what was theirs, then went around slaying dragons and shit.

Technically, he was a prince, so that was kind of fitting. Only Zircon wouldn’t have slayed any dragons. He was the dragon, well, the Wyvern, or Drakein, as they were called back on their planet. Didn’t matter what he was called, or what time they were in. He still made Jennifer swoon.

Foolish. Really foolish, Jenn.

ChapterThirteen

Jennifer stored her spare toothbrush and paste, smoothed her hand over her hair, and closed her eyes. She counted to ten, then straightened, willing her queasiness away before returning to where Zircon waited for her anxiously.

“Okay. I’m ready.”

“Don’t you think you should stop by the clinic?” he asked.

“What for?” she asked, perplexed.

“Jenn, you just puked your guts out,” he said, and fuck, was she embarrassed.

“I got a little worked up, excuse me for being sort of human,” she growled, leaving him to follow.

“That’s not what I meant. Geez, will you wait a second? I’m worried about you,” he growled.

“You know what, I just saw video of my father, who I have not seen since I was like seven, and not only is the bastard alive, but he’s fucking vile. He is selling Shifters, Conny. What kind of person sells another person?” she asked, voice slightly tinged with hysterics.

It hit her then. Hard. What kind of people did she come from? Did she even know herself at all? Her Nana was great to her when she was growing up. She provided comfort and support, but they never talked about her mother and father. Not ever.

“No need to dredge up that misery. You just keep your chin up, my girl.”

Nana would always say something like that whenever Jennifer felt brave enough to ask. Owls were not exactly confrontational, though they were apex hunters, they preferred to go it alone. So she’d let it be. Maybe she should have pressed harder. Guilt and sadness warred within her, but nothing stung so badly as the harsh slap of regret.

“Hey, easy,” Zircon growled and his hand on her elbow steadied her somehow.

“Shit. I’m sorry. This is just bringing up a lot of stuff for me.”

“I can’t even imagine. Come on. Talk to me, Jenn,” Zircon said, his expression concerned.

She closed her eyes and tried for control. But he was right. Whatever was happening between them, it would have to wait. She needed an ear, and Zircon was the best listener she knew. Her heart ached with sadness. She wished she had the right to crawl onto his lap and just spill her guts, but what good would that do?

Besides, she couldn’t face another rejection. Not when she was finally ready to admit what she’d been too afraid to even acknowledge for so long. Jennifer was in love with him. But like a fool, she’d waited too long, and he didn’t want her anymore. Of all the terrible things she’d gone through because of her father leaving them, that was one of the worst.

I’m sorry, Mom. I let you down. I fell in love. And I will never be the same again.

Fuck. She was so fucked up.

“Come back. Hey, come back, look at me, Jenn. I’m here, okay? Talk to me, please,” he begged.

The silent, sexy, patient man was hammering away at her defenses, and she just wasn’t strong enough to deny it anymore.

Chip. Chip. Chip.

“I-I’m sorry, Conny. I am so sorry for everything,” she began, tears freely flowing down her face.

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