Your Alluring Love (The Bennett Family 6)

“Nate,” she says once we step inside her living room, “Maybe it’s best if you don’t spend the night here. I’m still mad, and I’m not good company when I’m mad.”

Her face is tight with suppressed anger and she keeps smoothing her hands down her dress, her fingers twitching every now and then.

“I disagree. You’re great company no matter what. You’ve got to let all the anger out or it will eat you up.”

“Nate!”

A red hue’s spreading on her neck. By now, I know her enough to understand exactly what that means.

Here’s the thing. Alice’s skin becomes so gorgeously flushed on two occasions: when she’s embarrassed and when she’s pissed. Right now she’s pissed, and maybe it makes me a jerk, but it’s a good look on her. Alice always has fire simmering just beneath the surface, but she only unleashes it when we’re in bed, or when she’s mad. And it’s a turn-on. I fantasize about riling her up some more, coaxing all the fire out of her, then wrestling her to bed, but it would be selfish. She needs me in other ways right now.

“If you’re waiting for me to leave, you’ll be disappointed.”

Her eyes widen, like she was caught in the act. I’ve learned to read Alice’s expressions like an open book.

“I have to learn to school my expression better around you,” she murmurs.

“Or you can tell me what’s bothering you so we can fix it.”

“I don’t know if there’s anything to fix.”

“Then we can talk about it and see where it gets us.”

“I’m just mad at myself for not seeing through him right from the beginning. That I’m so naive.”

Instantly I know what has her out of sorts, and it makes me see red. “No, you’re not.”

Closing the distance to her, I wrap my arms around her, hoisting her up against me, needing to make her understand.

“There will be assholes trying to take advantage of you, but you’ve got me to take care of them.”

She frowns, looking adorable. “You want to be my personal protector?”

“Lover, protector, whatever you need.”

“Okay.”

Right now, she looks at me with a hopeful expression, as if she’s convinced I can do no wrong, and that makes me want to be worthy of her trust forever. She has a way of making me feel like I’m a better man when I’m with her. She’s mellower now, calmer, but there’s more I want to tell her. “You’re kind and generous, and the smartest woman I know.”

Pushing her against the nearest wall, I tip her chin up, running my thumb over her lower lip before I slant my mouth against hers. She presses her delicious soft curves against me instantly, giving herself to me without restraint. This is one of the things I love most about Alice; she doesn’t give her trust easily, but when she does, there’s no holding back. Her soft and low sounds of pleasure reverberate in my mouth, deepening my desire for her. I want to be the one to give her pleasure for all times. I want to be the one who gives her everything she needs, who makes her smile every day.

She deserves to be happy every single day. I’d die a happy man if I have the chance to worship this woman for the rest of my days. The thought barrels into my mind so abruptly that I nearly buckle under its weight.

Of course, Alice picks up on it, pulling back a bit. “What are you thinking?” she whispers.

“Too many things.”

She’s only inches away from me, close enough for me to hear and feel her sharp intake of air. Her hands, which were resting on my forearms, grip me almost involuntarily.

“Good things,” I reassure her, and she releases my arms. “Very good.”

The corners of her lips lift up and she places them on the hollow on my neck, whispering, “I’ll let you get back to them, then.”

I swear the more I have of this woman, the more I want. I want it all: her fire, her sweetness. I thread my fingers in her soft hair, tugging at it as I lower my head to her neck, kissing down her collarbone and then back up until I reach her ear.

Bringing her closer to me, I bury my head in her hair. She rests her head on my chest, feeling small in my arms. And the thought of anyone making her feel small has all my protective instincts spring to life.

“You know when to kick ass and, unlike me, also when to be diplomatic,” I continue.