Protected

  Tears slid over her lashes and down her cheeks. Tears that caused his heart to swell inside his chest.

  Sliding one hand to her nape, he gently tugged her toward him and pressed his forehead to hers. “I know you’re scared,” he whispered. “I’m scared too, but not of loving you. I could never be scared of that because it’s the only thing I know is right. I’m terrified I’m gonna screw this up like I almost did today and lose you forever. Because that would gut me. Way worse than losing my mom ever did. Especially now, when I’ve finally realized you’re the only thing in this whole wide world that matters.”

  She sniffled, lifted her hands to his elbows, and drew back from his forehead. “You’re not going to lose me,” she whispered. “As long as you keep loving me, you’ll never lose me.” She pressed her mouth against his and slid her arms around his neck. “I love you too. I’ve always loved you.”

  He couldn’t breathe. Was almost sure he’d heard her wrong. But when he opened to her kiss, and she slipped her tongue into his mouth and groaned as she tasted him, he knew she was his. For as long as he wanted her. Forever.

  All he had to do was keep her safe from a madman.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Kelsey couldn’t get close enough to Hunt. Couldn’t touch him fast enough. Couldn’t show him quickly enough just what his words meant to her.

  Gripping him tighter at the shoulders, she spread her legs to make room for him where he knelt between her thighs. Her breasts pressed against his hard chest as he tugged her closer. Aching to feel him—all of him—she rocked her pelvis against his hips, torturing them both.

  He groaned. Nipped at her bottom lip, then sucked the spot until she moaned. “I need you, Kelsey. I need to be inside you.”

  “Yes.” Oh fuck, yes. Fingers trembling, she grappled with the buttons on his shirt and slipped the first one free. “I need you too.” Desperate, she kissed him hard and whispered, “Now. Right now.”

  His answer was a low growl as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her from the bench. She held on to his shoulder, kissing him again and again as he carried her to the bed and laid her out on the mattress.

  She dragged him down on top of her, kissing him deeply while her fingers went right back to freeing his buttons. She needed skin, wanted him naked. He drew back so she had to arch up to keep reaching his lips, then slid his hand down her leg and flipped her right shoe free from her foot, followed by her left. They clattered against the carpet. Hooking his thumb into the top of her sock, he yanked off the first and then the second.

  She braced her bare feet on the bed as he climbed back over her. Reaching up, she shoved the two halves of his shirt aside, then sucked in a breath at the sight of his chiseled abs and chest. He drew back from her mouth long enough to wiggle out of the sleeves, and she skimmed her fingertips over his chest, loving the way it made him shiver. Tossing his shirt behind him with frantic moves, he leaned down and closed his mouth over hers with a hot, wet kiss again, then wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her higher on the bed.

  She moaned as he kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek, her jaw as he worked his way down her neck and pushed her soft sweater up her torso. Cool air tightened her already straining nipples to stiff peaks beneath the thin lace bra. He drew back and looked down with rapt attention. Licked his lips as if he couldn’t wait to taste her. And knowing he wanted her that much, knowing he was hers, created a tidal wave of want inside her that condensed between her legs.

  Her stomach caved in under his heated gaze. Grasping the hem of her sweater, she swept it over her head and tossed it on the bed. And wasting no time, he flipped the front clasp free on her bra, slid his palm around the outside of her breast, then lowered his mouth and traced her nipple with the tip of his tongue until she groaned.

  “Hunter . . .” She arched her back and sifted her fingers into his hair, desperate for more, desperate to feel him everywhere. “That feels good.”

  “No, baby, you feel good.” He moved to her other breast, licking and laving and tormenting until she was writhing beneath him. She flexed her hips against his chest, pressed her knees into his ribs, dug her fingernails into his shoulders, wanting only more. He took the cue and dragged a line of molten kisses down her belly. With one hand, he rolled her left nipple between his thumb and forefinger. With the other, he toyed with the right nipple until she arched her back and cried out. And then he licked a line of heat across her lower belly and popped the snap on her jeans open with his teeth. “And in a second I’m going to make you feel amazing.”

  He released her nipples, drew back on his knees, grasped her jeans at the waistband, and stripped them and her underwear straight down her legs.

  She gasped and quickly tugged the straps of her bra off her arms and tossed the garment over her shoulder. And then, bracing herself on her elbows, she watched as he lowered his knees to the floor, hooked his arms under her thighs, and yanked her to the edge of the mattress with the hottest, sexiest, most gorgeous eyes she’d ever seen locked on her.

  He pushed her thighs wide. Smiled that wicked, for-her-eyes-only grin she loved so much. And then he glanced down and breathed hot over her swollen flesh as he whispered, “This is what I’ve been craving.”

  She held her breath and bit her lip, anticipating that first touch. And when she felt it, when she watched him lick up her center with the flat of his tongue, she cried out and arched up to meet his mouth, wanting only this, wanting only more, wanting only the pleasure and emotions and perfection he could make her feel.

  “Oh, yes, Hunter. Just like that.” Her fingers gripped the comforter as he circled her clit and pleasured her with his mouth. She rocked against his touch, moaning and begging for more. He feasted on her, drawing her closer to the edge with every frantic flick of his tongue. And when he slid two fingers inside her slick channel and stroked in time with his licks, she lost track of time and space and everything that had happened the last few days and flashed like lightning into an orgasm that consumed every inch of her body.

  She collapsed on the bed in a sweaty mess, still shaking from her release. But he only gave her a moment to breathe. Trailing his lips back up her body, he found her mouth and devoured her like a man starved, like he couldn’t get enough, like she was his everything.

  Desire resurged inside her. Lust morphed to an all-consuming need to feel him everywhere. Lifting one hand to his face, she pressed her tongue against his and reached down to help him push his jeans off. He was already ahead of her, though. Naked and already tearing a condom open. She reached for it, wanting to help him, but he pulled away from her mouth, grasped her at her hips, and flipped her to her stomach.

  She hit the mattress with a gasp and tried to push up on her hands. Foil crinkled at her back, and then he was there, the rough scratch of his leg hair brushing her inner thighs, his hands tugging her hips up so she was braced on her knees, his fingers sliding through her wetness until she was so hot and eager for more, she pressed back against him and quivered.

  “I like the way you tremble when I touch you.” He nudged her knees farther apart with his thighs, then slid the thick head of his erection through her wetness. She held her breath as he leaned over her back and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. And then he flexed and slowly pushed inside her, stretching her around his girth until she moaned. “But I love the sounds you make when I’m inside you.”

  He pressed all the way inside her, slow and deep, and held still as her channel relaxed around him. Just as slowly, he drew back, causing her to tighten every muscle to keep him from sliding free. His fingers gripped her at the hips. He sighed, then pressed in deep all over again, this time a little harder, groaning at the way she clenched to hold him tight.

  “Kelsey . . .” His thrusts picked up speed. He drove inside her again and again, making her wetter with each plunge as her desire grew. Sliding one hand around her waist, he slipped his fingers between her legs and found her clit, stroking in time with his th
rusts until she was rocking back against him, their pace growing more frantic and more desperate with every second.

  “Oh, yes.” Pleasure streaked through her body, tightening her nipples, making her skin hot and tight, centering every thought only on that place between her legs he was stroking and filling the way only he could.

  He grunted in her ear. Thrust harder. Wrapping his free arm around her waist, he drew her up from the mattress and back against his chest. She gasped and spread her legs wider so he could continue to flick her clit, so he could press farther inside her with every sinful plunge. Gripping her face, he turned her mouth toward his. His hot breath tickled her lips as he whispered, “God, I love being inside you.”

  He captured her bottom lip and sucked until she groaned, then he pushed his tongue between her lips and consumed her like a man possessed. His thrusts grew frenzied. He drove deep again and again, rubbing hard against that spot that made her wild.

  “Kelsey.” He kissed her lips and smoothed the damp hair back from her face as she gripped his arm. “This is real. We’re meant to be together. You know this is as right as I do.”

  Tears burned her eyes. Tears not just because he loved her, but because he loved her in spite of all her many flaws.

  Her heart squeezed so hard it stole her breath. Tipping her head back against his shoulder, she pressed her mouth to his and kissed him deeply, tightening on every thrust so he could feel what was in her heart and she could take him over the edge with her.

  “I do know.” She grasped his arm at her waist for stability. “Just don’t let go of me.”

  “Never. I am never letting you go. I promise.” He swelled inside her and groaned against her lips. “Come with me, baby. Come all around me.”

  His entire body jerked with the force of his orgasm, and knowing it was consuming him triggered hers. Heat exploded inside her in a wave of bliss that was sweeter than anything had ever been. And as it washed over her, she cried out at the sheer force, savored it, and told herself she could make this last. That they could make this last. All she had to do was believe. Even if believing was the hardest thing for someone like her to ever do.

  She didn’t remember sliding to the mattress, but when she blinked, she felt Hunt’s weight at her back and his body still twitching with the aftershocks of his release.

  She smiled, loving his heat against her, and reached for his hand on the mattress near her head.

  He groaned and rolled off her. But he didn’t go far, and as soon as he was on his side, he tugged her up against his sweaty, sweet, tantalizing body.

  She sighed as he trailed his fingertips down her spine. Against her forehead, he pressed a soft kiss and whispered, “I told you that you were crazy about me.”

  She grinned as she rested her cheek against his chest, loving that he knew the perfect thing to say, even now. “Proud of yourself, huh?”

  “For that? No. For the way I made you scream my name a few minutes ago? Hell yeah.”

  She couldn’t stop herself. She laughed. And, oh, how good it felt to laugh. She hadn’t done much laughing the last few months. The last few years, really. “I did not scream.”

  “Okay, screeched.”

  She swatted his arm playfully. “I didn’t screech either.”

  “All right, maybe it was a shout.” He tipped his chin down and grinned at her. “Bet I can make you scream my name before this night is over, though.”

  The wicked heat re-forming in his eyes made her suck in a sharp breath. And this time she didn’t even try to fight what she knew she wanted. “I would love to see you try.”

  Smiling, he rolled her onto her back and kissed her once more. “That is one challenge I will never decline.”

  Kelsey sighed in the dark and snuggled closer to Hunt under the covers. The storm whipped around outside, rustling trees and grasses, but in Hunt’s big bed, she was warm and content and quiet. Well, her lips were quiet. Her brain was another matter entirely.

  After he’d pleasured her thoroughly in her room, he’d taken her into the big shower in the master bedroom and soaped up every inch of her skin. He’d tried to drive her mad with his fingers under the spray, but she’d told him she needed food before he wore her out again, so he’d dragged her into the kitchen, pushed her into a chair at the table, and cooked her an omelet. And when hunger was sated, he’d proceeded to have his way with her right there on the table before dragging her back to his room and completely destroying her in this bed.

  She couldn’t remember the last time a guy had cooked for her. Couldn’t recall the last time she’d been so relaxed. Wasn’t sure she’d ever been so happy. But she was absolutely positive she’d never had so many orgasms in one night. And just thinking about all the delicious ways he could make her moan made her want another one, right this very second.

  Biting her lip, she slid her hand across his chiseled abs. Above her, where his head rested in the pillows, he let out a low groan. “How the hell are you not exhausted? Every muscle in my body feels broken.”

  She smiled, remembering his acrobatics during that last round. “That’s because you got too creative. All I had to do was lie there.”

  He brushed his hand down her arm. “Yeah, next time you get to do all the work.”

  Heat gathered between her legs.

  He sighed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let me sleep a little, baby. Then I promise to rock your world again. We both need the rest.”

  He was right. She knew he was right. She was probably too tired for another round, anyway. Sighing, she closed her eyes and let her mind drift, let her muscles relax, let all her worries slip away.

  She wasn’t sure how much time passed or how long she slept, but when Hunt jerked beneath her, it startled her awake. Blinking several times, she pushed up on her hands as he climbed off the bed. “What’s wrong?”

  “The fan’s not running.” He crossed to the closet and tugged on a pair of jeans.

  Blinking because she was still half-asleep, confused because she had no idea what time it was or how long she’d actually slept, Kelsey glanced up at the ceiling fan blades unmoving above her. “Didn’t you turn it off before we went to bed?”

  “I didn’t turn it off. I never turn it off. I need the white noise to sleep.” He opened the bottom nightstand drawer, typed in a code on the small safe inside, and pulled out a 10mm. “Stay here.” He checked the magazine. “Get dressed just in case. I’m gonna check the security system.”

  Her brain jolted wide awake at those words, and she sat straight up in bed. “Hunt. Oh my God.”

  He moved back to the bed and grasped her at the nape as he kissed her. “It’s probably just the storm. Odds are good the power just went out. I’m a light sleeper. I’m sure the generator’s going to pop on any second, but stay here and wait for me just to be safe. And lock the door as soon as I’m gone.”

  Her heart raced like wildfire as he moved into the hall and closed the door at his back. Scrambling out of the bed, she found her suitcase in the corner of the room where Hunt had dropped it after they’d decided she was staying in his room, tugged on her tank and a pair of pajama bottoms, then crossed to the bedroom door and flipped the lock like he’d said.

  Seconds morphed to minutes, which lengthened and frayed her already tattered nerves. In the darkness, she paced and told herself he hadn’t been gone that long, that everything was okay, that he’d be back any second. But every moment he didn’t return shot her heart rate up and made her palms sweat even more.

  “Come on, come on, come on,” she muttered.

  A buzzing sound startled her. With a quiet yelp, she jerked toward the bed. Hunt’s cell phone illuminated the room in an eerie white light.

  Heart in her throat, she lurched for it, sure it was Hunt calling from the landline downstairs to tell her everything was fine. But the second her fingers closed around the device and she read the words on the screen, her blood ran ice cold.

  Do I look like a small dog kind of guy?

/>   Even sporting dogs like Princess live ten to thirteen years. That’s not exactly short.

  Not exactly long either. What’s the point in getting attached to something that’s going to be gone in ten years?

  They were her own words texted back to her. Hunt’s too. Spoken only days ago in this house. When they’d first arrived and she’d seen him playing with Princess on the beach after his run.

  She swallowed hard. Somehow she knew the text was from Foster, coming through on Hunt’s phone, not hers. But she didn’t understand how. Or how he knew what they’d said to each other in this house.

  The phone buzzed again, and another text appeared on the screen. Only this one wasn’t a repeat of any conversation.

  Poor Princess didn’t make it to ten. Guess your boyfriend’s going to be disappointed. He should learn to get used to disappointment, though, seeing as how he’ll be next.

  Fear clamped an icy hand around Kelsey’s throat and squeezed so tight she couldn’t breathe. She rushed for the door, flipped the lock, and raced into the darkened living room.

  “Hunt!” Unable to find him, she tore into the kitchen, searched the entire upper level, then ran for the stairs, hoping he hadn’t gone outside to check the generator. Hoping and praying that she could stop him before he did. “Hunter!”

  Panic surged up her throat when she hit the basement level and he didn’t respond. “Hunter O’Donnell, answer me!”