Page 69 of My Favorite Hero

It was slow, sexy, and incredible. We shared oxygen, neither of us wanting to part. We moved like a wave, feeling every nuance of the other. The hard and soft, the smooth and rough.

My backyard was private with a long line of trees that led down to a ravine on one side, a wooded area at the back. The yard was fenced, and I had added a privacy screen to make it even more secure. The fire pit was at the very back, the ground sloping down providing a nice niche to sit in at night. Even if anyone saw us, it looked as if we were hugging.

One hell of a long, passionate hug.

Casey began to whimper, the sound soft in her throat. She tightened her hold on my neck, fisting the material of my shirt. I gripped her hips as she orgasmed, the feeling of her tightening around me bringing me to an orgasm as well. I held her close, moaning my release into her neck, then capturing her mouth one more time.

I knew I would never sit here again and not think of this moment in time.

Of her.

“That was, um, wow,” she murmured.

I pressed a kiss to her crown.

“Wait until the encore.”

Early the next morning, I left her in my bed, still sleeping, breaking my own rule of no sleepovers. I had to admit, I liked sleeping beside her. Waking up to her little body tucked next to mine, her soft breathing on my arm.

I really liked being able to have her anytime I woke up and was hard.

Which, lying beside her, seemed to be every time I woke up.

I was tired, but I had something to take care of. Something important.

I was waiting at the loading dock of the furniture store when a mustard-colored Chevy pulled in. The driver parked, heading toward the building. He saw me and stopped. “We open in half an hour if you’re here to pick up something.”

“Nope. I’m here to see you.”

He frowned. “Me?”

“You’re Chris, right? Cal’s friend?”

“Maybe. You are?”

I grabbed his T-shirt and spun him around so his back hit the wall. “Your worst nightmare.”

“What do you want?”

“To teach you a lesson.”

“About?”

“How to treat a lady. You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today, relaxed. So I’m going to give you a warning. Stay away from Casey Lawson.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fuck, you too? Cal’s been all over me. Christ, just because I took her for spaghetti? Bitch could just appreciate⁠—”

His breath rushed out as I punched him in the stomach. He doubled over, but I yanked him upright.

“That word never leaves your mouth in regard to her. Ever. And never mind your cheap-ass dating skills. But what really has me pissed off? You left bruises on her. You never fucking touch a woman, do I make myself clear? Especially that woman. I hear you so much as looked her way, and I’ll be back. And you won’t like me angry.”

“What is she to you?”

“None of your goddamn business. But she is under my protection. So I suggest you listen.” I stepped back. “And learn how to act like a gentleman.”

“Anything else?” he asked, far too stupid for his own good.

I spun him, cranking his arm behind his back and twisting. He cried out like a little girl. “I will break this if I hear you’ve disrespected another woman in this town. If you’ve touched any of them in anger or thinking you have the right. You don’t—you understand?”