Her Protector

by Rianna Campbell

  “Well this was fun.” She said, standing and clapping her hands together. He shot to his feet and caught her hands.

  “I’m sorry, lass.” He said, still smiling. “I think it’s adorable that you’re a nerd. If it’ll make you feel better…” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as if psyching himself up to share some deep, dark secret. “I have every season of Doctor Who on DVD.”

  “Wow.” She said, smiling. “And you had the nerve to laugh at me.”

  “I wasn’t laughing at you…” He said. She raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I was. But the same way you laugh at… babies, or puppies. You’re just… so damn adorable.”

  “Well, okay then.” She said with a blush. “So what are we watching?” He crouched again, selected the movie he wanted and put it in the Blu-Ray player without a word. She gave him a questioning look and he rubbed the back of his neck, a slight blush rose on his cheeks that made her want to launch herself at him.

  She hit play and as the movie started she realized he’d chosen a classic romantic comedy. Philadelphia Story was one of her favorites. She’d spent a lot of time watching TCM as a kid while others her age were watching cartoons. Her mother always joked that she’d been born in the wrong decade. Alexandra agreed. She wanted to be Katherine Hepburn when she grew up.

  “Interesting choice.” She smirked. She was more than happy with it, but she couldn’t help giving him shit about it after he’d laughed at her. “Does this mean there’s a warm, gooey center underneath all those muscles?”

  He gave her a slow smile that made her toes curl.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

  They watched the movie, ate popcorn and cookies and laughed. After the popcorn was gone, Connor draped an arm across the back of the couch and occasionally stroked the back of her neck with the pad of his thumb. It was enough to make her shiver.

  Every. Damn. Time.

  It was driving her so crazy she couldn’t even focus on the movie. The entire world narrowed down to his thumb on her skin. Needing… more, she shifted closer, until their thighs touched and her arm rested against his side. He was warm and the smell of his cologne and the man underneath made her head spin.

  His arm tightened around her and his thumb now stroked her shoulder in lazy circles. She tilted her head and rested it lightly against his chest. He tensed a little, but he squeezed her shoulder, tugging her closer. Encouraged, she set her hand tentatively on his chest. So hard. She could feel the muscle shifting beneath her fingers and they itched to creep beneath his shirt and trail along his bare skin. Then she could follow the trails with her tongue.

  She swore she could feel his heart beating fast and hard in his chest and his breathing seemed to have picked up. She felt the satisfaction of her affect on him all the way to her bones. Feeling daring and needing to touch him, taste him, she looked up and placed a soft kiss to his jaw. The stubble there tickled her lips.

  When she opened her eyes, Alexandra saw him looking down at her, eyes so dark they were practically black.

  “You’re missing the movie.” She whispered. She raised a shaking hand to his chin and urged him to face the TV again. He obeyed, confused, and she nuzzled his neck, inhaling the woodsy masculine scent of him. She kissed her way up his jaw and in a moment of daring, gently nipped his earlobe. He hissed and jerked slightly, but otherwise was still.

  She continued from his ear down his neck, keeping her kisses soft, teasing. The angle was tricky and she decided to position herself more comfortably. She knelt up and turned, straddling Connor’s lap. He gave her a startled, hungry look and his arm followed her until she was wrapped in his strong embrace as she resumed her kisses.

  When she reached his shoulder and the collar of his shirt, she began moving sideways, kissing along the base of his throat and then up the other side. His breathing was heavy now, chest heaving beneath her hands.

  She could feel the hard length of his erection pressed into her thigh and knew that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She straightened, looking into his beautiful face and he gazed back at her with something like awe.

  She kept her eyes on his as she leaned slowly forward and pressed her lips to his. He’d been so sweet, and so understanding, letting her set the pace, telling her he would wait until she was sure. She wanted him to know that she wanted this. That she was making this choice deliberately.

  She closed her eyes and sank into the kiss, lingering on each of his lips-- sucking and nipping and then soothing with a swipe of her tongue. He let her guide the kiss, keeping it slow and sensual. He opened for her and she tasted popcorn and chocolate and Connor. Salty and sweet and so, so sinfully good.

  His grip shifted and tightened. Every muscle in his impressive arms and chest seemed so tense, his body was practically quivering with the strain of holding himself back.

  She wanted this. She wanted him. She didn’t want him to hold back. Alexandra pulled away, keeping her focus on his face and those eyes that seemed to devour her. She reached for the hem of her sweater, but he stopped her.

  She blinked, confused. His mouth crashed down on hers and one of his hands cupped the back of her head. He pulled the tie from her hair and then fisted his hand in the loose strands as he kissed her breathless. He tilted her head to deepen the kiss and she was surrounded by him. His hands, his lips, his tongue, the smell of his skin-- he blanketed her senses until there was nothing but the warmth and feel of him.

  “Connor.” She murmured when he pulled away to take a breath.

  “Be sure, Lex.” He said, chest heaving. “Be sure. I don’t do one offs. I don’t do casual. This happens, and you’re mine, only mine, for however long this lasts.”

  “Yours?” She breathed. It made her heart race, but she didn’t know what that meant to him.

  “Mine.” He growled. “Your joy, your pain, your frustrations-- they’re mine to share with you. I told you I was a selfish bastard. I want to be your fuckin’ world. I want the sun to rise and set with me. I want ye thinkin’ I hung the moon just fer you. Because if you’re mine, you’ll be my world. Mine to spoil and protect and make happy.”

  Alexandra’s breath left her in a rush and she couldn’t find the words to answer. That sounded serious, more serious than she’d planned on from the teasing, playful Connor she’d met just a week ago. Wasn’t this too fast? What if he promised all that and then when it was over he changed his mind? He didn’t know what he was getting into, how could he say all of that and mean it?

  “Connor…” She swallowed. His eyes softened, as if sensing her fear. He stroked a strand of hair away from her face and kissed her sweetly.

  “I ken, sweetheart. It’s a lot to take in. It’s okay if you need more time.”

  “There are things… I can’t do.” The words choked her and to her shame, she ended on a sob.

  He stroked her hair and pressed her to his chest, cradling her in his warm strong arms. That spark of hope in her chest glowed a little brighter. She felt safe.

  “I would never ask anythin’ from you that you’re not willing to give.” He said quietly. “And whatever you choose to give me will be a gift I will treasure, always.”

  God, she could so easily fall for him.

  Alexandra pushed back from his chest to look him in the face.

  “I’m sure.” She said, her voice surprisingly steady.

  The smile he gave her in reply was filled with such joy that her heart melted, then and there. He kissed her, a series of sweet gentle presses of his lips to her.

  “We’ll talk about all this later.” He murmured between kisses. “Tonight, you tell me what you need.”

  He began trailing kisses down her throat, occasionally nipping and sucking, as his hands ran up and down her back. Alexandra let her head fall back, closing her eyes as he made her feel valued and cherished and safe.

  “Tell me what you want, love.” He whispered, his breath hot on her neck.

  “Just like this.” She said, running her hands throu
gh his hair and urging him closer.

  ✽✽✽

  Connor wanted to find out who had hurt her so badly and make them suffer. But that could wait. Right now, he needed to show her how priceless she was, how good she deserved to have it. He had been dead serious when he told her that whatever she chose to give should be considered a gift.

  Someone had taken something from her and he wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d closed herself off completely. The fact that she was here, with him, willing to give him anything at all humbled him. Even if just her body, her pleasure, her passion-- even if just one night-- it would have been a precious gift. But she’d agreed to more, and his heart leapt. Mine.

  He pulled her closer and then let his hands drift to the hem of her sweater. He brushed his thumbs across the bare skin beneath her sweater and saw her tremble. He pulled the sweater over her head and tossed it aside.

  Connor spread his hand across her belly and reveled in the feel of her skin, warm and so soft beneath his large hands. She was breathtaking. She wore a lacy bra in a soft blush color that offered a mere hint of her taut nipples straining beneath the fabric. He skimmed his hands up her sides and grazed the tips of her breasts with his thumbs until Alexandra was moaning.

  “Impeccable.” He breathed, placing open mouth kisses across one breast and then the other. He reached behind her and unhooked the bra, letting it slide down her arms and land on the floor. They were perfect. Just more than a handful, the skin smooth and creamy white. Her nipples were gorgeous rose peaks that begged for his mouth.

  He bent down and caught them in his mouth, first right and the left. He sucked them into his mouth, rolling his tongue over them. Alexandra sighed and moaned above him, clutching him close to her, urging him on. He nipped gently and she gasped. He soothed the sting with his tongue and gave the other the same treatment.

  She was writhing on his lap and his already throbbing cock jumped and twitched with each movement. He growled against her nipple, giving it one last hard suck before he stood, taking her with him.

  He set her down gently, letting her slide against him until she stood on the floor. He unbuttoned her jeans and traced the waistband with the tip of his finger. He looked at her, wanting to make sure she was with him.

  She was breathless, flushed, and so unbelievably sexy that she took his breath away. She seemed to realize he was waiting and she reached up and pulled him down into a swift, hungry kiss. Then she stepped back and he had to restrain himself from tugging her back into his arms.

  She scooted her jeans down, taking the underwear with them, until they were around her ankles. He held out a hand and she took it, stepping out of them. He took a moment to simply look at her. She was glorious. And she was his. At least for now.

  He turned her around and she lowered herself to the couch. He kept his eyes on her as he reached behind him to drag his t-shirt over his head and discarded it on the floor. He toed off his boots and unbuttoned his jeans to relieve some of the pressure.

  She took him in, all the way down to his cock straining against his jeans, and licked her lips. All sorts of images involving her mouth came to mind, but he shoved them away. This was about her-- her wants, her needs.

  He knelt on the floor in front of her and ran his hands up her calves, over her knees and thighs. She was fit, but soft in all the right places. Generous hips, smooth waist, full breasts. Heaven.

  He leaned forward and nuzzled the underside of her breast while his hands explored her legs, her arms, her stomach. He lost himself in the feel of her skin, the smell of her honey and almond skin mixed with the scent of her arousal, and the soft pleading moans she made as she ran her hands through his hair.

  Hands on her knees, he urged her to open her legs and she didn’t hesitate. The sight of her, bare save for a strip of close cut curls on her mound, made his mouth water. She was glistening and pink and all for him.

  He leaned forward into her, nuzzling her thigh, inhaling the scent of her. He used a thumb to spread her wet heat up and around her clit, making light circles around it until she was moaning. He growled with pleasure at the first taste of her, holding her hips still while he licked her in long strokes of his tongue.

  “Connor…” It was a whisper and a plea and he loved the way she said his name with such desire. He worked his middle finger into her tight pussy, pushing forward and then pulling back, penetrating a little more with each slow thrust.

  She arched her back and her eyes fluttered closed. She gripped his finger and then relaxed. He focused his attention on her clit, licking with quick flicks of his tongue, and then small circles. He sucked her, softly. He grazed his teeth over the hard nub.

  After a few minutes she was panting. Sweat dripped between her breasts and he wanted to follow its trail with his tongue. He added a second finger and curled them forward inside her. She gasped.

  “Yes. Yes. Don’t stop!” She sobbed. She gripped his hair and her pelvis rocked against his mouth. He pulled her clit between his lips and sucked, swirling over it with his tongue until she cried out and he felt the gush or warmth against his fingers as her climax pulsed around him. He gentled his motions, but didn’t stop until he’d prolonged her pleasure as much as he could.

  “Connor…” She whispered. His kissed the insides of both of her thighs and then wiped his face on his t-shirt. She was flushed and satisfied and painfully beautiful. He stood and pulled Alexandra up and into his arms.

  He kissed her, slowly at first-- a grateful benediction-- then harder, until they were both breathless. She looked at him through a haze of pleasure that he had put in her eyes, and she smiled at him.

  ✽✽✽

  Alexandra had never had such an intense orgasm in her life. Even solo, she’d never come so hard. But rather than sated, she still felt restless and aching, as if that had been a mere prelude to something more.

  Connor kissed her again, a tangle of lips and tongues and teeth. No finesse, no seduction, just raw need. He held her close, which was damn lucky, because her legs had turned to jello. They were gasping for air by the time the kiss ended and the clawing need to feel him overtook everything else.

  She knelt in front of him, hands shaking in anticipation, and unzipped his jeans. He groaned and tilted his hips forward into her hand when she reached to stroke him through his boxer briefs.

  She tugged his jeans down and his boxer briefs followed, freeing his impressive length for her viewing-- and touching, and tasting-- pleasure. She licked her lips and met his gaze. He was staring at her with such fire that her whole body heated.

  She took him in hand, surprised that she couldn’t quite close her fist around him. He was uncircumcised and she took her time to slowly rolling his foreskin down to expose the purplish head already slick with a bead of moisture. He groaned and jerked involuntarily in her grip. She felt powerful and sexy being able to make this warm, witty, charming Adonis lose control.

  She cupped his balls and ran her tongue up the front of his shaft, adding a flick of her tongue just beneath the wide head. He groaned in pleasure and she did it again. She covered his tip with her mouth and gently, almost teasingly, swirled her tongue around it.

  He tasted salty and earthy. She wasn’t usually one for oral sex, giving it at least, but something about Connor made her crave every part of him. She wanted him as out of his mind with desire for her as she was for him.

  Connor gripped her hair firmly, but not painfully, and swore. He didn’t maneuver her or push her, he simply held on for dear life as she took him as deep as she could. She couldn’t take him all this way, but she moaned when the tip reached the back of her throat. Connor shuddered in response.

  She set a slow rhythm with her mouth and hands, sucking and licking and occasionally grazing his shaft with the barest hint of teeth. Soon he was panting and shaking.

  “So fucking good.” He growled.

  Then, to her surprise, he backed away.

  “I don’t want to come yet.” He explained, hauling her
to her feet. He kissed her, not caring that she’d just been sucking his cock. “What do you want?” He kissed down her neck until he reached her still erect nipple. When he pulled it into his mouth, she’d forgotten his question. Hell, she’d all but forgotten her own name.

  “Alexandra…” He growled, his deep voice rumbling against her skin.

  “Couch.” She gasped as he flicked his tongue. “You. Sit.” She felt him smile against her breast at the fact that he’d reduced her to one word answers.

  “As you wish.” He said, planting a soft kiss on her shoulder. He turned them until they had switched places, and he sat.

  He was absolutely stunning. Thick dark hair on his head with just a dusting on his chest that trailed down to that delicious V of muscle at his hips. Large sculpted muscles everywhere-- chest, shoulders, arms, legs, abs. She wanted to lick him all over until she’d memorized every line and groove.

  He held up a hand to her and she took it, sitting on his lap, facing him. He resumed kissing her neck while his hands roamed up and down her back, over her backside, cupping her breasts.

  “This is… a bit late to ask…” She said breathlessly. “But you’re clean, right?”

  “As a whistle.” He murmured against her ear. “Tested six months ago at my physical. Haven’t been with anyone since.” She heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Me too. It’s been… a long time.” She groaned, as much from her embarrassment as the magic he was working with his mouth at that one spot just under her ear. “I’m on the pill, though.”

  For once she was thankful for the horrible periods she’d suffered through as a teen. It was the reason she’d never stopped taking the pill even after she’d given up on her love life.

  “Thank fuck for that.” He swore, maneuvering his hand between their bodies and stroking her clit until it was hard and pulsing. Her back arched with the mindless pleasure of it as he pushed a finger inside her and stroked her again.