Protector

by Michelle Horst

He breaks the kiss but doesn’t pull away. His breaths are hot on my lips and I greedily suck them in.

  “If we do this, there is no going back to just being friends,” he whispers against my lips.

  “I know,” I say quickly so he knows exactly where I stand.

  “No, Riley,” he grinds out. He pulls away more but I refuse to let go of him. “If we do this, there’s no going back. Once I’m inside you, I won’t let you go. I know I’ve said it before, but this will be different. I won’t share you. I’m a selfish and jealous bastard. “

  “I want you to be my selfish and jealous bastard. Please, Griffin, I’ll beg if I have to. Please. Please…”

  His mouth slams over mine and he groans into me. His arms come around my back and he lifts me from the couch. I quickly link my legs behind his back when he stands up with me in his arms.

  He walks us to his room and then kicks the door closed behind us. It’s dark in here, and I can’t make out much of his face until he steps into the moonlight streaming through his window. He has an intense look on his face that makes him look scary.

  He falls onto the bed with me, and again I feel his much bigger body pinning mine to the mattress. It feels so damn good.

  He pushes up from me and then his fingers hooks into the sides of my underwear. He makes quick work of pulling it down my legs before he unzips his jeans and kicks them to the side.

  He’s huge. I mean, he’s huge all over, and he’s ready. For a split second I second guess myself, wondering if he’s not too much man for me to handle.

  He crawls back on top of me, and then his mouth is on my breast, sucking and biting my nipple into a hard peak, and my worries vanish into thin air.

  I trail my hand back down his body and then let it slide between us. I brush my fingers over his hardness and feel it jerk against me. I wrap my hand around him and explore the feel of him. He grows restless in my hand, rocking against me.

  His breathing is hard against my skin and it turns me on like crazy. I slide my hand up and down him but only get in a few strokes before he pulls away again. He grabs a condom from the nightstand and puts it on quickly.

  He crawls back up my body. He places one hand next to my shoulder to keep his body slightly raised off mine.

  “You sure about this?”

  “Yes,” I answer eagerly, just wanting him inside me already.

  Instead of doing what I thought he was going to do, he slips his hand down between my legs. When his finger slips into me, I gasp as pleasure streaks through me.

  His eyes stay focused on my face and it makes me feel slightly embarrassed. I can’t believe he’s touching me there and it feels so good.

  He presses his palm against me while his finger moves in and out and it’s creating just the right amount of friction. He lowers himself slightly, leaning on his forearm. I press my face into his bicep and I start to squirm under him, needing to find that blissful release.

  “Griffin.” I breathe hard into his skin. He feels as hot as I am. We’re burning up for each other. “Please…” I will beg if I have to, and I get the feeling he likes it.

  “Please?” he asks. He presses his body down on mine, and I feel his hardness right there … so close. He looks down at me and the serious look in his eyes makes my insides turn to lava.

  I grind my hips down on his hand and my lips part in a silent plea.

  His mouth closes over my breast again and he nips at it until I’m arching off the bed. I’m shamelessly grinding my whole body against him, greedy to feel him everywhere.

  “Is this what you want?” he whispers against my breast.

  I nod quickly and bring my hands up to cover my face as I moan out loud. He’s making me feel achy and restless for his hands and body to devour mine.

  He places tiny bites all over my sensitive skin, all the way from my breast to my abdomen. I peek at him from between my fingers, not sure I’m ready to have his face down there.

  “This?” he whispers as he keeps biting lightly at my skin and moving even further down. I feel his shoulders between my legs and I have to open them wider.

  Heat flushes over my face as the thought of him seeing my most private part makes me feel self-conscious.

  He parts me with two fingers, and then I feel the roughness of his tongue as it slides over me. I’m not expecting the assault of pure desire that sizzles through me, and my hips buck off the bed.

  I feel his teeth scrape against my sensitive skin and it makes my hips jerk wildly. He slowly kisses his way back up my body and then he takes hold of my hands, pulling them away from my face. I’ve forgotten that I was peeking at him through my fingers.

  I place my hands on his sides. He presses a kiss to my jaw and then one to my lips.

  I feel his hand between us as he takes hold of himself, and he starts to rub his hardness against me.

  I can’t believe Griffin is naked on top of me. I can’t believe he’s finally kissing me! I sure as hell can’t believe he’s about to make love to me. This is all so surreal.

  I get to taste him. I get to feel him. Even if it’s just for tonight, then at least I’ll have one good memory.

  I drag my nails down to his firm ass, trying to push him down so I’ll be able to feel more of him.

  I cling to his ass as I arch up to meet him. A whimper slips over my lips when I don’t get the friction I want.

  “Griffin,” I whimper when he just keeps teasing me. It’s going to drive me insane. “I want you.”

  His body stills over mine and he locks eyes with me.

  “Please,” I whisper. Now that I know he likes it when I beg, I can use it to my advantage. “Please,” I breathe, hoping it sounds sexy.

  His eyes drop to my lips and I mouth, “Please.”

  That’s all it takes. He pushes inside me, burying himself in one long, hard stroke.

  Pleasure robs me of my breath.

  “Ah, yes,” I moan as my whole body is flooded with tingles and desire.

  “Riley,” he whispers, slowly withdrawing and then rocking back into me.

  My name on his lips sounds like heaven. He makes me feel special, as if I’m more important than the air he breathes. I haven’t felt special in a long while.

  He moves again, and this time I’m aware of the feel of him inside me. I feel his pelvis rub against mine and it creates a mouthwatering friction that makes shivers race over my body.

  His mouth finds mine, and we kiss hungrily. I lift my hips to his, and it makes him groan into my mouth. I drag my nails down the length of his back until I can grab hold of his ass again. I open my legs wider, and then I raise my hips and push down on his ass all at once.

  He slams into me and it makes me break away from the kiss as I throw my head back, arching my body into his.

  He scrapes his teeth down my neck and then rocks into me again, faster and harder with each thrust. My body is flushed with heat and pleasure. My muscles start to tighten, and my hips start to jerk, trying to get as much friction as possible.

  Griffin must feel that I’m close because he raises his upper half up on his forearms and he uses all of his strength to thrust into me. I keep a tight hold of his ass, digging my nails into the firm muscles so I can keep my body in place.

  A breathtaking quivering starts in my tummy and then it floods my whole lower half. I grind myself shamelessly against Griffin and feel as his body tightens against mine.

  He groans and then his pelvis starts to jerk against me as he comes undone. I feel his hardness growing inside me and just the thought that I’m making him come is enough to make me come apart.

  I ride wave after wave of the best orgasm ever. He moves his arms to the side of my head, and then his body covers mine. I feel his full weight and it’s the best feeling ever.

  I cross my legs behind his ass and bring my arms around his back, just holding him close.

  He’s breathing fast and I feel his breaths race over my heated skin. I close my eyes, drinking in the feeling of Griff
in’s skin on mine and his hardness in me.

  This feels right. I feel balanced again, as if my world found a new axis to spin around.

  Griffin~

  We’ve just been to the lawyers. I’ve hired movers to clear out the three houses, and I’ve hired a few storage units. I’ve made sure it’s all taken care of.

  Now, if only I could solve the problem of Volkov so easily.

  I’ll have to tell Riley sooner or later that I’m going after him. She deserves to know, especially after last night.

  I’m still not sure we did the right thing. It sure as hell felt right last night, but today … it’s a whole different story.

  I haven’t had a relationship in a long time. Not that a previous relationship would’ve helped. Riley is different. What we have is different. I’m not even sure it can be called a relationship. This thing between Riley and myself feels like a living, breathing thing that’s keeping us alive.

  She’s more than the air I breathe. If I stop breathing, then I’ll just die. If I lose Riley, I’ll become nothing again.

  It’s not about the sex. It’s got nothing to do with the fact that she’s beautiful. It’s because she makes me feel like more – more of a man, stronger, braver, just more.

  “Thank you,” she says softly from the passenger seat. I was surprised when she came out of the room this morning, wearing a dress with a light jacket. She looks breathtaking.

  I take hold of her hand and bring it to my lips. Placing a kiss to the palm of her hand, I glance over at her.

  “You’re welcome.”

  I left early this morning. I wanted to get over to Josh’s house and back before she woke up. I cleaned the place a little and put the trash out.

  Her car is parked in my garage. I had the oil and water checked as well.

  She was already up by the time I got back, and that made things a little awkward.

  We haven’t had time to talk about what happened between us and what it means for us.

  Once we’re back home, Riley lets Charlie out while I check his water and food. When she walks back to the kitchen, I meet her halfway. I take her hand and lead her to my room. I close the door softly behind us and then turn back to her.

  I see the uncertainty in her eyes. I reach for the hairclip in her hair and pull it out. I watch as her hair cascades around her shoulders and then run my fingers through it.

  We’ve both had an emotional day, and I just want to make it better.

  I take a step closer to her and look deep into her eyes.

  “Are you having second thoughts about last night?” I hold my breath while I wait for her answer.

  She tucks some hair behind her ear, her eyes dropping to my chest, and for a sickening moment my heart stops.

  “No, are you?” Her voice sounds small and it makes me move closer.

  I’m so fucking relieved by her answer that my heart starts to pound heavily.

  She’s insecure, that’s all it is. I have to make her see herself through my eyes and not the pain that’s blinding her. I’ll protect this woman with my life, even if it means protecting her from her own insecurities.

  “No, I meant what I said. For me, there’s no going back. But I want you to be comfortable with the idea of us. Things haven’t been easy, and I don’t want you to wake up one day, thinking this is a mistake.”

  Her lips part and she sucks in a shaky breath. “I’ve been feeling like this lost person, just floating around in space with nothing but emptiness around me. But then you came along, Griffin, and you ground me. You’ve become my gravity. You’re my protection against karma, against this cruel life. I’ll never regret you. That’s just not a possibility.”

  I close the distance between us until our bodies touch, my arms circling around her.

  “So we understand what this is then? There’s no confusion. You’re my northern star, Riley Woods.”

  Her hands rest on my chest and her chin starts to quiver. She looks up at me with tear filled eyes and whispers, “And you’re my sun, Griffin McGraw.”

  I let my hands glide down her back to her ass, and then grip her tightly to me. I lift her against my body and walk her to the bed where I drop her.

  I yank my shirt off and then quickly step out of my jeans. I grab a condom from the nightstand and roll it on. I just want to be inside her. I need to get lost in her.

  I take hold of her thighs, dragging her to the edge of the bed. My hands start at the middle of her thighs and slowly trail up the sides until I reach her panties. I drag them down her legs and toss them to the side.

  Her eyes don’t leave mine as my hands move back up her legs and over her abdomen. She sits up quickly, shrugs the jacket off, and then she falls back on the bed.

  I reach for her face and she closes her eyes when my fingers skim over her jaw. Her features are delicate and graceful, and it makes my protective side roar to life.

  I lean over her and place a kiss to her neck. Fuck, her neck. It drives me crazy. I take a deep breath, breathing in her sweet scent.

  She reaches up and her finger trails from the side of my face down to the corner of my mouth.

  Her lips part and the tip of her tongue darts out to wet her lips. The green of her eyes go dark as they focus on me. I push one knee between her legs until I feel her heat against my skin. I place my hands next to her head and then lean down until her breaths rush over my lips.

  She squirms, rubbing herself against my leg, and it’s so fucking sexy. I groan and feel myself grow impossibly hard for her.

  I cover her mouth in a desperate kiss. She tastes so good I can’t stop myself from taking her bottom lip between my teeth. I want to leave my mark on her.

  Her hips start a slow rhythm against my leg. I feel her body tremble with need, and it almost makes me lose control. I move my leg away and cover her with my hand. I slip one finger inside her and close my eyes.

  “I need you,” she moans, making me smile. Her eyes lock on mine as she whimpers, “Please.”

  That one word is all it takes. It’s the way she says it, as if she knows she has all the power with that one word.

  I position myself at her entrance and then ease slowly inside her. Her hands dig into the cover and her back bows off the bed. It’s intoxicating watching her reactions to me.

  I stop halfway and move my pelvis in small circles. She tries to grind down on me but with me standing I have all the control.

  I take hold of her legs and open them wider before I ease in all the way, filling her completely.

  I swivel my hips gently, brushing my pelvis against her clit. Her body spasms every time, and it tells me I’ve found her magic spot. I pull out and then slowly thrust back in, ending with a swivel of my hips. Her fingers tighten their hold on the covers and she tilts her head back. I wonder if she even notices that she’s opening herself to me fully. It’s a powerful thing, to know that someone trusts you with everything they are.

  I grab hold of her hips and yank her closer. Her legs go around my waist, locking behind me. I start to thrust harder, needing to hear her cry out in ecstasy.

  My hips go from hard thrusts to a ferocious pounding when she starts to spasm around me. I feel the tingle rush through my abdomen, and then I growl as it spreads through me in explosive waves.

  It’s all about timing and lately my timing sucks. I’d love nothing more than to lock us inside this house and to throw away the key, but that won’t get rid of the problem – Volkov.

  I’ve spent a week with Riley. Seven days memorizing every curve of her body.

  I’ve learned that she still has nightmares, and fuck, I don’t blame her. She’s been to hell and back. I’m just glad I’m there when she wakes up so I can comfort her. It feels like I’m there for her in some way.

  I’ve also learned that she loves fruits and vegetables, and she’s not big on meat. She’s opened up a lot to me, and what’s weird is that I’ve learned more about her in the past week than I did in the almost three months we spent in
the safe house.

  I’ve been in contact with Camden and Carson. Carson says he has a friend that can help out, but I’m not too sure about that. After Mikhail, I don’t trust anyone. My trust radar has clearly gone to shit.

  I can’t put it off anymore. I have to tell her.

  Fuck, this sucks. Since Mom died I haven’t had to consider another person when I go on a mission. Before, I just packed my shit and went wherever the job took me. Now, I have Riley to think about. I can’t be selfish anymore, and that’s a new thing to get used to.

  I turn onto my side and let my arm slip around her waist.

  Before I tell her, there’s one thing I need to know.

  “How did you know not to trust Mike?” It’s the one thing I’ve wanted to know. Riley knew before all of us that there was something off about him.

  She turns her face to me, placing her hand on my arm.

  “His eyes … they were the same as the men in the warehouse.”

  I prop myself up on my elbow and look down at her.

  “What do you mean?”

  She brings her hand to my face and trails a finger from the corner of my eye to the corner of my mouth. She’s been doing that a lot.

  “His smiles never reached his eyes - they were dead. Dead people are dangerous because they have nothing to lose.” Her words hit hard. She saw all of that in one glance?

  “What do you see in mine?’

  She tilts her head into my arm and whispers, “A world of pain.” She pushes herself up on her elbows, pressing a kiss to my jaw. “I’ve learned that time won’t heal you, Griffin, but it will dull the sharp edges of pain. All that matters is that you’re alive. You haven’t given up. As long as you have fight inside you, there’s hope.”

  I shift my head so that my mouth is right over hers. I love feeling her breath on my lips. It’s becoming an addiction I’ll soon be unable to live without.

  “Careful, woman. With words like that you might just steal my heart. What would I do without one?”

  She presses a soft kiss to my lips and her eyes are twin pools of warmth as she whispers, “I’ll give you mine so you won’t have to be without one.”