Protecting What’s Mine (Alpha Security 2)

At this point, patrons at the other tables are looking at us and I’m trying not to cause a scene. “Okay, come into the back and I will get it for you.”

“No, that’s okay, I have unfinished business with Charlie. I’ll wait here.” He steps around me.

I grab him by the collar, and lean in to whisper to him, “You’re lucky to share the same air she breathes, asshole, but I’m not leaving you out here with her.”

“That won’t be a problem. I’m leaving,” Charlie announces and slides from the booth.

Kevin reaches out for her and instinctively, I grab his hand and squeeze it in mine before he ever reaches her.

“I can take care of myself, Brody. I can definitely handle him.” She gestures to Kevin, who is hunched over in pain because I still haven’t let go of his hand.

“That’s just It, honey. You can take care of yourself. I know it. You know it. But as long as I’m around, you don’t have to. I protect what’s mine. And I know you don’t realize it yet, but, honey you are mine,” I tell her and hold her gaze so she knows how sincere I am.

She squeezes her eyes shut, and when she opens them I can see the fear and panic in them. She runs from the restaurant. I want to follow her and demand that she stay. But she’s not like that. If I demand anything of her, she will do the exact opposite. I decide the best thing to do is let her calm down. So, instead of chasing her, I take care of paying Kevin and then taking the trash out. Literally.

4

Charlie

I almost hyperventilate by the time I make it back to my car. Once there, I sit and try to get ahold of my emotions. Brody has scared me to death. I can feel the hope rising inside me just wondering how good it could be with him, but then the fear of losing him overwhelms me and I almost lose my lunch.

I drive straight home and cry myself to sleep on the couch. Crying is something I haven’t let myself do since I was five years old and my mother died. But I give in and let it all out until I’m exhausted.

I wake up when the sun has set, and someone is pounding on my door. Looking through the peephole, I see it’s him. Brody.

Opening the door, I realize that I probably look a mess. “Oh, honey,” he says and wraps his arms around me. I snuggle into his chest and breathe in his manly scent. He picks me up and carries me to the couch, sitting down with me in his lap.

“Honey, you are breaking my heart. No more crying,” he pleads with me.

In response, all I do is sniff and bury myself deeper into his chest. He strokes my hair and I just revel in being in his arms. I haven’t ever allowed myself to do this. Be comforted by someone. I can’t remember ever being held like this.

“Tell me what happened back there. Why did you panic when I said you are mine?” he asks me.

I take a deep breath and try to collect my thoughts. “I told you I was raised in foster care, didn’t I?”

“Yes,” he huskily replies.

“Well, my dad left me when I was only two. My mom died when I was five. I went from foster home to foster home until I finally aged out of the system. I never… never had anyone in my corner. And I’ve learned to depend on myself, to take care of myself. Now, I’m just programmed that way, Brody. I can’t lean on you, I can’t depend on you to be there for me. I won’t let myself. All I have to give you is one night.”

“Honey, I want more,” he tells me and I feel my heart breaking in my chest. Oh how I wish I could give that to him.

We sit in silence, him stroking my hair and my back. I have cold chills up my arms and I wrap them around him. I touch my lips to his neck and I feel him stiffen underneath me. But I don’t stop. I kiss up his neck, then his earlobe and he sucks in his breath. But I still don’t stop, moving across his jawline with sweet little kisses until I stop on his lips. When my lips touch his, he’s frozen under me and I know I can’t let myself stop now. I pull back and look into his eyes. His usual light blue eyes are dark with desire. I shift on his lap and I feel the hardness of his cock pressed against my bottom. He moans when I shift against him and I lean in, meeting him halfway to kiss him again.