Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

She wanted another one. Right now.

Climbing out of bed, she grabbed the robe that hung on the back of her closet door and slipped it on, tying the sash extra tight. She was naked, didn’t even bother putting anything else on because she fully expected to drag the man back to her bedroom where they could resume their earlier activities.

If she had her choice, they’d remain in her bed for the rest of their stay on the island. And if she had to go back to DC for election night, then she hoped to have Mason standing next to her. Not as her assigned protection, but as the special man in her life.

Blake frowned as she reached to switch on the lamp that sat on her dresser. She needed to quit thinking like that. Mason didn’t like her beyond the sexual. It hurt, heck, it stabbed her directly in the heart, but she needed to get over it.

She needed to remember her place in his life. And really, why did she always have to adjust herself for someone else? Why couldn’t she ever get what she wanted? People thought she was a spoiled brat and yes, she’d been indulged much of her life but when it came to the things she really wanted, the people she really wanted, well, she was always left without.

And she hated it.

Sighing, she strode out of her bedroom, down the hall and toward the kitchen. The scent of coffee brewing lingered in the air and she breathed deep, her stomach growling. The coffee smelled good but food sounded even better. Light glowed from the kitchen and she knew Mason was in there, making them coffee and maybe even something to eat.

She smiled. How sweet.

Blake

entered the kitchen to find Mason standing in the middle of the room, wearing only jeans and looking vaguely uncomfortable. His gaze met hers, his expression grim. Her heart dropped into the bottom of her stomach and she remained in the doorway, immobilized by his intense gaze.

“You’re awake.” He stated the obvious.

“I am.” She moved toward him, then past him, headed straight for the coffeemaker. Grabbing a mug from the cupboard above, she poured a steaming cup, then went to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of flavored creamer. She dumped in way too much and gave a quick stir with a spoon.

“More coffee with your creamer?” At least he sounded jovial and hope soared within her.

“You know I like it sweet,” she teased.

“I like it sweet too, but not that sweet.” The double meaning to his words did not go unnoticed and she brought the cup to her lips, smiling at him.

“I should probably go.” He set down the coffee cup he’d been holding into the sink and turned back to face her, the uncomfortable expression on his face saying it all.

He didn’t know how to behave after everything they’d just experienced.

“Where should you go?” Why wouldn’t he stay with her for the night?

“To my temporary office.” He referred to the smaller cabin. “I have some stuff I should check up on.”

She’d hoped for light and easy and teasing, maybe another round or five of wondrous sex before the sun came up. But she knew she’d have to work a little harder before they got to that comfort level.

This was Mason, after all. The man of few words, of quiet strength and above all, absolute dignity.

Her legs grew weak when she saw the way his gaze lit upon her. Those beautiful eyes did a slow perusal of her, from the top of her sleep-mussed head to the tip of her bare toes and her skin warmed.

Even though this was Mason, he was still only a man. And a mere man could only resist so much.

With that in mind, she approached him, putting an extra sway in her step, the rustle of her silky robe against her skin arousing her, making her nipples harden. He kept his gaze trained on her face, his expression unreadable but she knew that look.

It was the same one he wore every day he worked beside her.

Even that cold hard stare sent tingles sweeping all over her skin. Because she knew the warmth beneath that faux coldness, knew the heat of his touch, the fulfillment of his body moving deep inside hers.

A shiver stole over her and she breathed deep, hoping for strength.

“What’s your hurry?” She stopped just before him, the tantalizing smell of his skin reaching out to her. She resisted the urge to touch him.

Not yet, not yet.

“It’s getting late. I should take a shower.” He shrugged, drawing her attention to those impossibly broad shoulders and she wished this uneasiness wasn’t between them. She wanted to move past it, embrace the pure delight they’d just shared.