He whips around, swinging wildly with a knife I hadn't spotted before. Sloppy, amateur move. I catch his wrist, twistinguntil something pops and the knife clatters to the floor. His howl of pain cuts off abruptly when my fist connects with his solar plexus, driving the air from his lungs.
As he doubles over, gasping, I grab him by the throat and slam him against the nearest bookshelf. Books tumble to the floor around us.
"Listen carefully," I tell him, my voice deadly quiet. "I'm going to let you and your friend walk out of here. But if you ever come back, if you ever so much as look at this store again, I will end you. Understand?"
His eyes are wide with terror as he nods frantically. Good. Fear works better than pain for creating lasting memories.
I drag him to his unconscious partner, haul them both to the broken window, and shove them out into the rain. Then I secure the plywood emergency board I spotted earlier over the broken glass. Not perfect, but it'll hold until the storm passes.
My blood is pumping, adrenaline singing through my veins. Combat high. Been years since I felt it. The world seems sharper, clearer. And through it all, one thought pounds in my head like a hammer:
Protect Julia. Mine. Protect what's mine.
I make my way back to the office, knocking three times so she knows it's me.
"Julia. It's clear. Open up."
The lock clicks and the door swings open. She stands there, pale and trembling, but her eyes—Christ, her eyes are looking at me like I'm some kind of hero.
"Are you hurt?" she asks, reaching for me, checking me over with those delicate hands.
"I'm fine." My voice is rougher than I intended. "Just some punks looking to loot during the storm. They're gone."
She launches herself at me then, arms wrapping around my neck, body pressing against mine. "I was so scared. I heard noises and I thought?—"
I cut her off, capturing her mouth with mine. Can't help it. The adrenaline, the need to claim what I protected, it's too strong to resist. She makes a small sound of surprise that quickly turns into a moan as I back her into the office, kicking the door shut behind us.
"No one touches what's mine," I growl against her lips. "No one threatens what's mine."
My hands are everywhere, checking her for injury even as I claim her mouth. She's unharmed, perfect, safe. Because of me. I kept her safe.
"Butch," she gasps as I lift her, carrying her back to the couch. "What?—"
"Need you," I grunt, laying her down and covering her body with mine. "Need to feel you. Need to know you're safe."
She doesn't resist, those innocent eyes watching me with trust that squeezes something in my chest. Trust I haven't earned. Trust I'm determined to deserve.
"I was so scared," she admits, her small hands clutching at my shoulders. "Not for me. For you."
Scared forme. When was the last time someone worried about my safety? Can't remember. Maybe never.
"Nothing's going to happen to me," I promise her, brushing hair from her face. "And nothing's going to happen to you. Not while I'm breathing."
I kiss her again, deeper this time, letting the last of the combat edge bleed into it. She responds beautifully, opening for me, letting me claim her mouth completely.
"You know what seeing you like this does to me?" I murmur against her neck, nipping at the tender skin. "Worried about me. Caring about me. Makes me want to fuck you right here, fill youup with my cum, put my baby in you so everyone knows you're mine."
She gasps, body arching into mine. "Butch!"
"Too much?" I pull back slightly, studying her face. "Too rough?"
She shakes her head, cheeks flushed pink. "No, it's just—no one's ever talked to me like that."
"Get used to it." My hand slides under her shirt, finding bare skin. "Because I plan to tell you exactly what I want to do to you. Every filthy detail. Want you wet and ready for me before I even touch you."
Her breath hitches as my fingers trace patterns on her stomach. So soft. So perfect.
"Such a good girl," I praise, watching her respond to the words. “My naughty little bookworm likes it when daddy talks rough to her, doesn’t she?"
