Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

But she needed Mason to be willing first.

“We could shower together,” she offered, her voice soft.

The fire that lit his green eyes didn’t go unnoticed. “Blake, what we just shared was...amazing.” Dipping his head, he kissed her, his lips lingering. “But I still have a job to do and that job is protecting you. I can’t do that when I’m with you like...this. And I don’t want people talking about you either.”

“Who would talk about me? No one can see us here. Together.” His words tugged at her heart, and that kiss, that one single kiss had almost unhinged her. She wanted another one. She wanted a thousand more of them.

“You never know.” His mouth was grim and he rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I don’t like taking risks where you’re concerned.”

It was so arousing, how concerned he was for her welfare. She knew it was his job but he took that job so seriously. She was of the utmost importance to him and it was thrilling.

“Come on, Mason.” She kept her tone even, with the slightest hint of cajoling tingeing it. “We just had sex. You just crawled out of my bed. Why don’t you crawl back into it so we can do it again? Trust me. Nothing can happen to me while we’re together like that.”

He actually turned a bit red at her comment and she found that immensely endearing. “I should probably walk around the property first, check everything out.”

“You can do that later.” The last word died on her lips and she slowly undid the belt of her robe, letting each end of the sash fall to her sides. The fabric parted, revealing a sliver of her naked form but damn him, he kept his eyes glued to her face. The tick in his jaw revealed that he was close to losing control, though. She had an arsenal ready to push him right over the edge.

She was not above pulling out all the stops to get what she wanted. And right now, more than anything, she wanted Mason.

“Blake.” He sighed and shook his head, his gaze dropping, his eyes widening. “You’re naked.”

A smile curved her lips and she finally felt in control again. The feminine power of rendering a man speechless was heady stuff. “Is there something wrong with that?”

He sighed again, this one not so heavy, maybe even a little lustful. “No, nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

She stood straighter, the robe opening even more and giving him a full view of her naked body. He growled, literally growled as he grabbed her, pulling her hard against him. So hard, she rested her hands on his shoulders to brace herself, her fingers curling around the thick muscles.

His mouth met hers in a soul wrenching kiss and he devoured her, one hand gripping the back of her head, the other hand curved possessively across her satin covered ass. She squealed when he yanked the robe up and smoothed his fingers over her naked skin.

Breaking the kiss, she buried her face in the crook of his neck, her breath coming in fast spurts, body weak with desire. Just like that, he had her mind reeling, her body reacting.

Mason picked her up with ease, depositing her so she sat on the edge of the counter and she watched, wide-eyed as he smoothed his hands up and down the inside of her thighs.

“Like silk,” he murmured, his fingers getting closer to her heated center. “Satiny soft and smooth.”

She spread her legs a little wider, giving him better access and the wicked smile that crossed his face made her smile in return.

“I like touching you,” he admitted, his gaze lifting to meet hers.

Her smile faded and she gripped the edge of the counter. “I like it when you touch me.”

His hand cupped her sex, fingers teasing the dark blonde curls there. “Do you like it when I touch you here?”

Blake nodded, unable to speak, only able to watch, to feel as his fingers began their search.

“Wet.” One thick finger slid along her slit, searching her folds. “Hot.”

A shuddering breath escaped her and she held on tight to the counter, afraid if she let go, she’d topple to the floor.

“Wet and hot for me, baby?” He continued touching her, his focus solely on the spot between her legs and she whimpered her reply.

He knelt before her, his big hands resting on the inside of her thighs, opening her to him. His mouth was so close and she couldn’t believe this was happening. Just minutes ago he tried to push her away and now he was about to go down on her.

Would it always be this passionate, this lightning quick between them? Would it only take one glance, one word for them to fall into each other’s arms?

God, she hoped so.

Mason kissed first one thigh, then the other. His mouth teased, his teeth nipped and she lifted her hips, indicating exactly what she wanted without words.