Strip Tease (Protect and Defend 1.50)

“You don’t believe me.” He shook his head, feeling like a damn fool. “I’m no good at this, I never have been. After A.J. died, I didn’t want to be in any type of relationship, what with the chance I’d lose someone I loved. So I—stayed alone.”

“What does this have to do with me?” She watched him, her expression wary.

“I’m trying to explain why the hell I am the way I am.” He shook his head. “And I’m messing it up, as always.”

“No.” She slowly shook her head. “No, you’re not.”

Hope lit a warm fire within him. “Why are you shutting me out? What did I do? What can I do to make it up to you?”

“What do you want from me, Nate? Why do you want to drag all this out?”

“Drag what out?”

“This.” She gestured between them. “What happened between us. Are you coming here to break it off with me properly?”

“Break it off? Why would I want to do that?” Scratching his head, he frowned, confused as hell. Didn’t she realize he wanted to take it to the next step?

She smiled though it didn’t reach her eyes. No, it was the saddest little smile he’d ever seen. “I understand. You were looking for my sister and I was easy to hang around with because we—got along so well. Now the case is over, the job is done and you’re finished. Moving on. I get it.”

“You think I’ve moved on.” His voice was low, his mind like mush. He was confused by her words, by the sadness in her eyes.

Nate didn’t want her sad. He wanted to make Janelle happy. Wanted to show her she meant the world to him.

“I know you’ve moved on. You haven’t called me all week.”

“You told me not to. You said you would be busy.” His tone was an accusation he couldn’t help.

Her eyes closed and she grabbed the back of the couch, drawing a deep breath. Her breasts moved and shifted beneath the tank top, her nipples hard and damn tempting. He swore she was gathering the strength to tell him to get the hell out.

Edging toward her, he waited.

“I don’t know what to say,” she finally murmured, her eyes opening, widening when she noticed he stood much closer.

“I don’t know what to say to you either, so why don’t I do this instead.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her before she could protest.

Her lips were warm and soft, the little gasp of pleasure that escaped giving him the advantage, the courage to take what he so desperately wanted. He opened his mouth over hers, his tongue tentative, brushing against her lips, not wanting to push.

Cradling her back, he slid his hands up and down in a soothing motion, treating her like a sketchy wild animal ready to run away—which she was. He wanted to calm her with his actions, since he blundered every word that left his mouth.

He wanted to show her how much she meant to him.

“Nate.” Her name was a protest murmured against his mouth but he ignored it. Ignored her tiny fists pushing into his chest, ignored her tense posture as she held herself straight and stiff in his arms.

He continued to kiss her with gentle sweeps of his mouth and tongue, not forcing it. Smoothing his hands over her curvy body, he settled them on her hips, pulling her close, squeezing her abundant flesh.

His cock was already hard, painfully so, but he wouldn’t rush it. Knew if he did, she would put a stop to it immediately. He couldn’t risk it.

“I’ve missed you, Janelle,” Nate murm

ured after he broke the kiss, his gaze locked on the swollen curve of her delectable mouth. He kissed her cheeks, her forehead and her nose. The sweet smelling spot behind her left ear, along the delicate line of her jaw, down her soft neck. She shivered beneath his lips and he smiled.

“Nate.” She pushed at his shoulders with the barest of force, not enough to make him quit.

The minute she said the words no or stop, he would. He wasn’t going to force her. He loved this woman, was desperate to show her how much.

“I love it when you say my name.” He licked a hot path down the column of her throat, felt her pulse beat wildly beneath his lips and tongue. She was reacting to his coaxing touch. That realization gave him hope.

“Nate.” This time his name wasn’t a protest, but a quiet surrender. Her body went pliant in his arms, her chest settling against his. She relaxed her clutched hands, sliding them up and over his shoulders. He shifted away slightly so he could study her.