Man, he was big.
She shivered against him, acutely aware of the hardness of his chest pressed into her back.She felt small.Delicate.Desire coiled low in her stomach.“Um.”
“I know,” he murmured in her ear.“You’re engaged.I’m just warming you up.”
She hated that she was engaged.She liked that he was warming her up.“Christian,” she murmured.
“No.”His mouth stayed close to her ear, and his heated breath brushed her earlobe.
She shivered again and nearly groaned from the feeling of him behind her.Holding her.All strength and heat and honed muscle.They lay together, her back against his chest, his arm a solid band holding her in place.Neither moved.The fire snapped and shifted across the room.Time crawled.Her thoughts didn’t.
When had she last felt safe and protected?She sure wouldn’t feel like this with Jarod Teller in the bed with her.
“Why?”Christian asked, voice quiet, grip firm.Was he reading her mind?
She didn’t need clarification.She knew exactly what he meant.“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
She stared into the dark.The shadows moved more than the answers.
“You don’t love him.”
She tried not to move against his hard body, but hers wanted to explore.Now.“How do you know?”
“I’ve watched you for years.You’re not in love with Jarod.”
Holy crap.What did he mean?He’d been watching her?For actual years?“Why do you care?”she whispered.
He said nothing.
She waited.Nothing came except a warning in the back of her head.“I might be ready to settle down,” she muttered.“I want kids.I want a marriage.Why can’t that be it?”
“You deserve more.”
Three words.Honest.Unflinching.
Yeah.She did.
But she couldn’t tell him the truth.Couldn’t risk it.If Christian knew, if he went after Jarod and didn’t get what he needed—if that video still made it to the press—Flossy would end up in jail, and Christian might, too.He could get himself thrown out of the wildlife troopers before he even got started.She didn’t know how she knew he’d fight for her, try to protect her, but she did.Deep down.
The risk wasn’t worth it.
Her throat tightened.
He held her like he’d keep holding her.“Let me help you.”
“You can’t,” she answered, no hesitation.
He turned her and pressed her into the mattress, rolling over her with full weight and control.
She gasped.He was hard.Her body responded before her mind could catch up.She widened her legs without meaning to.Her pulse kicked.Every part of her screamed to reach for him.
“I can,” he said.His voice stayed low, calm.“I have skills, Amka.Tell me what you need me to do.”
Her voice felt raw.“What?Skills?What are you saying?”The breath heated in her lungs.
“Whatever you need.No questions asked.Tell me.”
