Salvation (The Protectors 2)

I turned and headed towards the kitchen and wasn’t surprised when I heard heavy footsteps directly behind me.

“Seth,” Ronan said gently as he followed me to the fridge. I was in the process of opening the refrigerator door when he grabbed me and I felt all my fear and anger come rushing over me. I spun around and slammed my hands against Ronan’s chest and was actually glad to see him stumble back.

“Get the fuck out!” I snapped. “I don’t want you here.”

Ronan’s gaze clouded over with a look of shame but then he stiffened. “Once I know you’re safe-”

“Safe?” I yelled. “From what? I was mugged, Ronan. It happens every day. Bullet got shot by a hunter! There’s no conspiracy here; no one’s out to get me!” I sucked in a couple of deep breaths as I tried to get control of myself.

“The only one I need protection from is you,” I finally said tiredly. “I would take this,” – I pointed to the bruises on my face – “every day for the rest of my life over what you did to me three days ago.”

Ronan paled but I was beyond caring. “Just go, Ronan. If there’s any part of you that cares about me even a little bit, please go…and don’t come back this time.”

I turned back to the refrigerator and opened it. My hand was shaking badly but I covered it up by gripping the edge of the door as tightly as I could.

“So that’s it?” Ronan said from behind me. I didn’t dare turn around to check if he was as close to me as it felt like he was. I was terrified that if I took even the slightest step back, I’d feel his big, warm body pressed against mine and I’d beg him to forget everything I’d just said.

“That’s it,” I whispered. “I’m done…we’re done.”

I was right about Ronan being right behind me because he grabbed me a split second later and dragged me back a step before slamming the refrigerator door shut and shoving me up against it so I was facing him.

“No!” was all he said and his voice was so rough and chalky, it sounded like a snarl. And then his mouth was on mine, his hands holding my wrists in place against the stainless steel at my back.

I’d like to say I fought Ronan’s kiss but I didn’t. Not even a little. My brain may not have wanted Ronan but my body welcomed him like it always did. But this time around, I wasn’t content to just take what Ronan was giving me. I battled for control of the kiss and when I finally won, I managed to pry my hands free of Ronan’s hold. I let my tongue search out every recess of his mouth as I maneuvered us so it was his back pressed up against the refrigerator. I had my hands on his waist but, to my surprise, he didn’t move away from my touch or try to stop me from pressing my fingers into his sides. But I could also feel the tension running through his frame so I knew I only had precious seconds to maintain what little power over him that I had for the moment.

As I continued to make love to his mouth, I let one of my hands slide down to stroke over his erection. Ronan gasped against my mouth and then he took over the kiss. But he didn’t stop me from exploring his length where it bulged impressively against his pants. There was enough give in his waistband to allow me to sink my hand inside so I could grip his cock. I shouldn’t have been surprised by the softness of his skin stretched over the hardness of his flesh since I’d touched myself like this more times than I could count, but nothing about it was the same.

Ronan finally stopped kissing me once I began exploring his cock but his lips hovered over mine, his hot breath fanning my mouth as he tried to get control of himself. But I didn’t want him to be in control and I began stroking him in earnest, hoping that I was using enough pressure to bring him pleasure. I could only assume as he began thrusting into my hand that I was doing a reasonably adequate job. But it was over too soon because Ronan let out a muffled curse before grabbing both my arms and forcing me back against the island counter behind me. I’d definitely succeeded in snapping his control because all his movements after that lacked finesse.

He spun me around and shoved me down over the butcher block countertop. His weight pressed against me as he began rubbing his crotch all over my ass and a second later, I felt his fingers working my pants open. We’d been in this exact position before but this time there was no fear and not because my hands weren’t tied. No, I wanted this. I didn’t want to want it but I couldn’t deny the need to feel Ronan inside of me again.