Page 15 of Her Grumpy Protector

I smile, running my fingers through his hair. "I'm really glad you stopped fighting it."

He chuckles softly, the sound vibrating through his chest and into mine. We stay like that for a long time, tangled and warm, the danger outside the cabin feeling miles away for the first time since this all started.

But I know tomorrow will bring new risks, new leads, new reasons to keep running. Right now, though, with Banks stillinside me and his arms wrapped tight around my body, all I feel is safe and wanted and utterly satisfied.

And I wouldn't trade a single second of it.

ELEVEN

BANKS

The first thing I notice when I wake up is her. Anniston’s curled tight against my chest, one smooth leg thrown over mine, her blonde hair spilling across the pillow like warm sunlight. Her breathing is slow and even, her body soft and completely naked under the sheet. My arm is wrapped around her waist like I claimed her in my sleep. Maybe I did. Her skin is warm against mine, and every time she shifts even a little I feel it everywhere.

I don’t do this. I’ve never fucking done this.

One-night stands? Sure. Quick, clean releases with women who know the rules and don’t expect more. But waking up tangled with someone, feeling this heavy pull in my chest like I want to keep her here forever? Never. Not once. Until Anniston.

Last night keeps replaying in my head on a loop, every detail sharp and vivid. The way she moaned my name when I was buried deep inside her. The way she came apart on my tongue and then again around my cock, clenching so tight I almost lost it right then. The soft, satisfied sigh she made when I pulled her against me afterward and held her until we both drifted off. I should regret crossing that line. I should be pissed at myselffor letting things go that far. Instead all I feel is a possessive satisfaction that scares the hell out of me.

I want to keep her.

The thought hits me hard and I tense, jaw clenching. I can’t afford feelings right now. The people hunting Anniston are dangerous and connected to something much bigger than either of us. Getting attached is how people get killed. I need to stay sharp today. Focused. I’m not some lovesick idiot who can’t keep his hands off the woman he’s supposed to guard.

Anniston stirs against me, nuzzling closer. Her lips brush my collarbone and my body reacts instantly, cock hardening against her thigh. She makes a sleepy little sound that goes straight to my groin and makes me grit my teeth.

"Morning," she murmurs, voice husky and sweet.

"Morning." I keep my tone even, but my hand slides down her bare back of its own accord, cupping the curve of her ass before I can stop myself. "We should get up. Long day ahead."

She tilts her head back and smiles at me, those green eyes bright and a little shy in the morning light filtering through the window. "Or we could stay here a few more minutes. You feel really good in the morning, Banks."

Fuck. That smile is dangerous. It does things to me I have no business feeling. I kiss her anyway, slow and deep, savoring the way she melts against me like she belongs there. For one selfish moment I let myself pretend this is normal. That she’s mine and the world outside this cabin doesn’t exist.

Then reality crashes back in, cold and heavy. I pull away and sit up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. “We’re heading into Halo City today. Wyatt Rivers. I need my head on straight."

Anniston sits up behind me, the sheet pooling around her waist. Her breasts are right there, perfect and still faintly marked from my mouth last night. I force my eyes to the floor and stand up, pulling on my jeans fast.

"I know," she says softly. "But last night was incredible. You don't regret it, do you?"

I turn and look at her fully. She’s watching me with those wide green eyes, vulnerable in a way that tugs at something deep in my chest. "No," I say honestly, voice rough. "I don't regret it. But it can't happen again."

She nods like she knows exactly how badly I still want her. "Fair enough. I’m sorry."

Now I feel bad. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” I want to tell her I wish things were different. That we weren’t in a life and death situation. That maybe if things were over we could start something real. But how can I? I need to find my father.

Instead, I shake my head and head down the hallway to make coffee, needing distance before I climb back into that bed and forget every rule I have. She joins me a few minutes later wearing one of my black t-shirts that hits her mid-thigh. The sight of her in my clothes does something primal to me. I want to bend her over the kitchen table and remind her exactly who made her come three times last night. Instead I hand her a mug of coffee and focus on the plan.

"We leave in thirty," I tell her, voice gruff. "You stay in the truck when we get there. I approach the apartment alone first. If it feels off, we leave immediately. No arguments."

"Yes, sir," she says with a mock salute, but her eyes are serious. "I trust you."

Those three words hit harder than they should. I turn away before she can see how much they affect me.

We eat a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast at the small table. Anniston keeps stealing glances at me over her mug, her foot brushing mine under the table like she can’t help touching me. I don’t stop her. The drive down the mountain is quiet at first, but every so often she reaches over and squeezes my thigh. Her touch is light and warm and it takes everything in me not to pull the truck over and drag her into my lap.

Halo City looks the same as always when we hit the outskirts. Glass towers gleaming under the bright morning sun, traffic humming along the streets, people moving like nothing dark is happening beneath the surface. I take back roads and side streets, avoiding main arteries, eyes constantly scanning the mirrors for tails. Anniston is quiet beside me, but I can feel her watching me.

"You okay?" she asks after a while.