One to Protect (One to Hold 3)

It’s dark, and I sense his presence. He’s hiding like the coward he is, waiting for me to let my guard down so he can strike, so he can try to hurt her again.

Sensations of being back in battle engage my reflexes. I can’t see the enemy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t see me. I have to move forward, keeping the one I’m charged to protect covered by my side.

A noise, and I know where he is. My fists are clenched. This time I’m not sure I’ll have the presence of mind to stop until he’s eliminated. Permanently.

Energy is building in my core, preparing for a fight… And the scene changes.

Softest velvet touches my skin. Whispers like a butterfly’s wings feather over my cheeks and the sensation moves to my brow. Now it’s on my temple, causing my eyes to blink open.

I’m in Melissa’s pale green room. Sloan’s gone, and the butterfly wings are her hair falling in my face as her delicate lips cover me with kisses.

One swift movement, and she’s on her back with a shriek and a laugh. I want to cover her mouth with mine, but first I’d like to swish with some water—or preferably mouthwash. Instead I opt for devouring her slim neck.

Her fingers thread into the sides of my hair. “What time did you get in?” Her voice is breathy and high, as I follow a trail with my lips along her collarbone.

“Just before six. I tried not to wake you.” My mouth is moving up into her hair, behind her ear. She smells like roses mixed with the ocean, and I inhale deeply as she makes one of those little noises I love.

“Patrick said he almost batted you into next week.” A laugh moves through her torso.

“He did a fantastic job.” I kiss her jaw, pulling little bits of skin between my teeth, tasting her. She’s delicious. “I’m giving him a bonus. Something major. A Rolex.”

She’s squirming, trying to catch my lips with hers, and I lift up long enough to grab the water bottle and take a quick hit, swishing it around and then diving back into her arms. She pushes my shoulders, flipping me onto my back and straddling my waist as she forces my lips apart, finding my tongue.

She’s wearing a skirt, and the way she’s sitting, I can tell she’s not wearing panties. Fuck me. Her heat is flush on my bare stomach, and between that, her hands in my hair, and her mouth moving mine, my morning wood has turned into a full-fledged tree—one of those giant redwoods.

“You’re overdressed.” I pull up the sweater she’s wearing, and my brow collapses with appreciation when I discover she’s also braless.

Her breasts are firm and round and a few sizes bigger these days. Gorgeous.

Holding them, I massage my thumbs over the dark circles before pulling a beaded nipple into my mouth. She lets out a moan, and the chances are great I’ll last about as long as a teenage boy once I’m inside her.

Melissa is not helping the situation. She slides down my stomach and jerks my boxer briefs to my hips. The beast is unleashed, and she covers it with that hot velvet mouth.

“Fuck.” I arch back and try to think of baseball. Cold showers. House fires…

Her small hand pumping my shaft. Warm lips caressing my tip then moving lower, followed by the slow sweep of her tongue. Shit.

In a move fast enough to rival Superman, I catch her under the arms and pull her up and over. I’m inside, sinking deep into her slippery-wet body, in less than two seconds.

“Derek!” She cries and holds on, but I can’t stop.

She’s lying on her back, but I’m on my knees leaning into her, needing to be as deep inside her as possible. Her moans drive me crazy as I grip her ass, pulling her against me. Harder, faster… My stomach tightens as the explosion builds. A ragged groan scrapes my throat as the orgasm blazes through me, shaking me to the core. It’s so good, I have to hold her a few moments to recover.

Releasing my grip on her backside, I lean on the headboard as I catch my breath. These last several weeks, I’ve been doing my best to avoid putting pressure on her abdomen, where the baby is, but she’s crawling up, lips following the lines on my stomach, kissing her way up my chest until she wraps her arms around my neck.

“You’re so sexy when you let go.” Her voice is a husky whisper, and when I open my eyes, her beautiful mouth is inches from mine. I can’t resist kissing it.

“You didn’t finish. I’m sorry.”

Her blue eyes narrow, making her look even more like the sex kitten she is right now. “I guess you have to make it up to me then.”

I manage a weak laugh. “You might have to give me a minute.”

She makes a teasing pout that melts into a smile she presses against my lips. Her breasts touch my chest, and it’s possible I might have a little something left.

My hands roam down her sides, exploring her curves. She’s still up, but I move lower, kissing the sexy crease at the bottom of one breast, inhaling the scent of her body. Fresh-air flowers.

“Mmm…” The vibration of her voice moves through her torso as I kiss her skin. My fingers go between her legs, my thumb circling the tiny bud while my middle fingers push inside her. She moans again, and her hips rock as she rides my hand. I catch her up with a few practiced movements.