Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

Not if he had anything to do with it.

Mason headed toward her as fast as he could, his fading injuries hindering his movement. Every determined step brought him closer to the woman he loved and when she glanced up, her steady blue gaze meeting his, all the color drained from her face, her ruby red lips parting in surprise.

She had no idea he’d be there, which pleased him. That he could surprise her with his presence and was about to declare his love for her, made him nervous. He wanted to give her everything, be her everything. And he could only hope she would accept what he had to offer.

Blake gaped at him as he approached. Her eyes shiny with unshed tears, he reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. He crushed her to him, her soft, curvy body fitting perfectly to his. The sigh of relief that escaped him, of being able to touch her again, was indescribable.

“What are you doing here?” She pulled away, staring up at him with wonder as she cupped his cheek with cold, slender fingers.

“I came for you.” He kissed her, unable to restrain himself. Her lips clung to his as if she never wanted to stop, until finally they had to come up for air.

“Oh, my God.” She smiled, a real, heartbreaking smile and his heart felt like it really did crack when he saw it. “Mason. I can’t believe you’re here. You look...wonderful.”

She, on the other hand, was thin, her shoulders slim, almost bony, her collarbone more pronounced. She looked fragile, far too delicate and his first thought was to direct her to the buffet table on the other side of the room.

Then he realized he’d rather direct her to a bed first. His bed. Eating could come later.

“You’re gorgeous.” He kissed her again, those upturned lips of hers too tempting to refuse. He felt her tremulous smile against his mouth, her trembling fingers slid down his cheek, curved around the back of his neck and she breathed deep.

“I’m sorry, Mason. I’m so sorry I didn’t come see you.”

“Your father explained everything.” He kissed the tip of her nose, slid his hand down her back. It was so easy to forgive her. He wasn’t angry anymore, though he had been at first. More than anything, he’d been angry with himself. Full of so much regret it had nearly choked him with its intensity.

“He did? I just spoke with him and he was so— different.” Blake tilted her head back, searching his face with her gaze. “I think he finally realized that you’re good for me.”

He squeezed her slim waist. “We’re good for each other.”

“Are you all right?” Her other hand rested on his chest, on the snowy white shirt he wore and her fingers drifted down, hovered close to his stomach. “Your injuries, are you—okay?”

“I’m fine.” He closed his hand over hers, brought it up to his mouth. Brushing a soft kiss over her knuckles, he realized he couldn’t stop touching her, kissing her, looking at her. “Did you hear what happened to Rich and Amber?”

Blake nodded. “Will you be going back for the trial?”

“When they’re ready to go to trial, yes, I’ll be there.” Mason dreaded going, facing that asshole once more, but it needed to be done. “I start a new assignment in the White House after the inauguration.” He wanted to change the subject.

“Oh, really?” Her lips pursed and a perfectly arched brow lifted. “Working for the enemy, hmm?”

“A man has to do what he can to survive.” He held her tight, curled his arm around her waist and she tilted her head close to his. “Your dress is unbelievable,” he murmured close to her ear. “You’re gorgeous.”

Her lids fluttered downward, her thick lashes veiling her blue eyes. “My mother picked it out. I thought it was too flashy.”

“I thought you were all about the flash,” he teased.

“I haven’t felt very flashy lately,” she confessed and the words tugged at his heart.

“Well, I think you look like a pretty red Christmas package.” He smoothed his hand across her exposed back, curved his fingers around her bare shoulder. “And I can’t wait to unwrap my present.”

Her cheeks flushed and she admonished him with a glance. “Mason.”

“You know you want it, babe.” Angling his mouth close to her ear, he lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “I can’t wait to get you naked.” He’d thought of nothing else for weeks.

She sighed, a wistful, yearning sound that went straight to his cock. “I have to make an appearance here, you know.”

“I’m sure we won’t be missed.” He blew a hot breath over her ear, then nibbled the lobe. She shivered and he smiled. “What do you say?”

Blake drew away from him, her expression solemn, her mouth a sexy little pout. Her lower lip trembled and she moistened it with her tongue. His now empty hands tightened in frustration.

“I don’t ever want to be apart from you again,” she admitted, her voice so soft, he had to strain to hear her. Her gaze dropped to the floor, as if she was ashamed she admitted so much.