Forsaken (The Protectors 4)

“Here, let me,” I said as I took the key from him. Eli gasped as my front brushed his back and I actually found myself holding the position once I got the key into the lock. I made sure not to touch him anywhere else for fear of scaring him, but it didn’t matter because his breathing steadily increased as I held him that way, caged between my body and the door. It was only when my dick began to pulse painfully behind my pants that I turned the key. As soon as the lock disengaged, Eli used his good arm to push the door open. I sucked in a deep breath to try to get control of my raging libido and followed him inside. The second I stepped over the threshold, a huge Rottweiler appeared and placed himself between me and Eli who was putting his keys on the small kitchen table several feet inside the doorway.

The dog and I studied each other for a few seconds and when the big animal finally approached me, I remained still so he could check me out. I glanced up to see Eli watching us, but his eyes were actually on the dog and I wondered if he was using the animal as a barometer of sorts to figure out if I was trustworthy. I had my answer a moment later when the dog began licking my outstretched hand because Eli expelled a rush of air. His eyes lifted to mine and I saw a flash of shame go through him.

He shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but I quickly said, “Don’t.” I slid my hand over the dog’s massive head. “If this is what it takes, I’m good with it.”

Eli swallowed hard and then nodded. “His name is Baby.”

I chuckled and looked down to study the big dog. I could tell he was an older dog because of the considerable silver lining his muzzle, but he was still an impressive animal. “He’s beautiful,” I murmured as I stroked the big dog’s face. He nuzzled me for a few more seconds and then went to seek out Eli.

I watched as Eli dropped down into one of the kitchen chairs and wrapped his free arm around Baby. I moved farther into the apartment and closed the door behind me. Eli’s demeanor was so different around his pet that I was momentarily mesmerized and I felt a ridiculous sliver of envy for the big animal. I moved past Eli and went to the refrigerator and pulled open the freezer. I found a couple of packs of frozen vegetables and took them to the kitchen table. Eli watched me, but didn’t say anything as I went to the sink and searched out a clean dishtowel and wetted it. I moved the remaining kitchen chair until it was across from Eli and sat down. He didn’t protest when I put my fingers under his chin to steady him and began cleaning the small gash on his lip. Once the dried blood was gone, I reached for both bags of frozen vegetables. I carefully placed one over his wrist which he was still holding against his chest and then I shifted forward so I could hold the second one against his cheek. He winced slightly, but didn’t move away from my touch.

We sat there in silence as Eli’s eyes held mine and even though I wasn’t actually touching his skin, I may as well have been, because I felt a surge of electricity go through me. And I could see that Eli wasn’t unaffected because his lips parted just a little bit and I could hear his breathing ramping up. But when his tongue came out to moisten his lips, my cock hardened painfully in my pants. Desperate for a momentary reprieve, I managed to growl, “Do you have any ibuprofen?”

It took several long seconds for Eli to answer, but just before he did, his tongue once again slid over his lips and I had to wonder if he had any idea what he was doing to me. If he hadn’t been shouting “hands off” with every other part of his body, I would have been certain he was doing the move just to tease me.

“In my bathroom. I’ll get it.” Eli made a move to get up, but I put my free hand on his thigh and he sucked in a breath.

God, this guy was going to be the fucking death of me.

“I’ll get it,” I bit out.

Eli managed a nod and said, “You have to go through my bedroom to get to the bathroom. It’s in the medicine cabinet.”

I nodded and I as removed my hand from the bag that was still pressed against Eli’s face, his hand came up to take over holding it in place. His fingers brushed mine and I barely managed to bite back the curse as another flash of heat shot through me. I stood and headed for the hallway that I assumed led to the bedrooms. There was actually only one bedroom and it turned out to be tiny. A full sized bed was pressed up against the long wall. There was no closet but there was a small dresser with books stacked high on it in one corner. I noticed several framed pictures on the dresser as well and I couldn’t stop myself from stopping to take a closer look. The biggest picture was of a young woman with two children; a teenage girl and a boy no more than ten years old. Eli probably.