“I hope you’re not doing that on my account,” I whisper, lifting my eyes back to his.
“Honey, I really was trying to do the right thing the other night,” he says, fingers still caressing my cheek. “You’ve been through a lot.”
“I have,” I agree, meeting his gaze steadily. “But this is about me reclaiming my power. Taking back the control I lost for those two days. And the truth is, I loved sex before—I want to make sure I still do.”
“You barely know me,” he protests, but I can see his resolve weakening.
“I know you got involved in something that had nothing to do with you because a stranger asked for help. I know I might be dead now if not for you. It says a lot about who you are as a man. And finally, everything else aside, I’m very attracted to you. What else do I need to know about you?”
“I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you during a vulnerable time.”
“How can you take advantage of me when this has all been my idea?”
He doesn’t respond and for a few long moments, the silence is thick. Heavy with a combination of caution and desire. And I can almost see the change in him when he seems to give in to the inevitable. His handsome face softens, his eyes are trained on mine, and his lips part.
“I’m going to kiss you, Allora.” His voice is gruff but the expression on his face is one of pure tenderness.
“Yes. Please.”
I watch his face, slightly fascinated, as he threads the fingers of the hand that’s been caressing my cheek, into the hair at the back of my neck. Then he wraps his other arm around my waist and very slowly pulls me forward, almost like he’s giving me the chance to back out. And when I don’t, he lowers his head and brushes his lips across mine.
Talk about heaven.
I slide my arms around his middle and lean into the kiss, savoring every touch, every nibble, every moment of contact. Part of me worried that any sort of intimacy would remind me of the rape butthisis nothing likethat. In fact, I feel safe with Landon. Protected. Like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,in spiteof what happened to me, not because of it.
His lips are warm and soft, but also firm and possessive. He’s in no rush, mouth and lips caressing mine, exploring. No doubt he knows what he’s doing, and I succumb to the magic of the moment. Because it’s sensual and breathtaking. And we’ve barely started.
“Sweet,” he murmurs against my mouth. Then he slides his tongue against mine like we’ve done this a thousand times before. I lift to my toes, because he’s so tall and I want so much more. Before I realize what he’s doing, he’s lifted me in the air and my legs close around his waist as he backs me against the counter.
“Fuck, Allora.” His forehead hits mine, and I feel his erection against my core.
“I really want to take you to bed but?—”
There’s a knock on the door.
“Elliott is here,” I finish his sentence with a wry smile.
He nods somberly. “Yup. But we’ll finish this later.”
I really hope so.
Chapter Seventeen
Landon
I don’t know if I was just saved by the bell or cock blocked by it. Either way, I adjust my T-shirt to cover my erection before padding toward the door. I know it’s Rage but I check the security camera anyway before I open it.
“Morning.” I let him in and lock the door behind us.
He’ll notice that I’m sporting wood if I’m not careful, so I excuse myself to the restroom before he has a chance.
By the time I come out, my hormones are under control and I hear Rage and Allora talking in the kitchen. The same kitchen where I just kissed her and got myself all worked up—knowing Rage was on his way over. It wasn’t intentional. The kiss felt inevitable after we talked but now I’m distracted.
And horny as fuck.
I’ve been doing this bodyguard thing for a long time now, and I’ve never been this attracted to a client before. Or felt the same pull. I keep trying to tell myself it’s because of what happened to her, that I feel protective since I’m the one who rescued her, but it’s more than that.
She’s obviously beautiful, but I also respect her courage, the way she’s handled herself. A lot of women would crumble under the pressure and shame—I’ve seen it more times than I’d like—but not Allora. She’s determined not to let this take away her independence and the way she lives her life. Her strength and resilience are admirable, even though it worries me a bit as well.
