by Em Petrova
Her life raft in the world. Her savior, protector…and the man she never wanted to let go of.
When she lifted her face to him, he swiped her final tear away with his thumb. “It’s all right now. Scarlett will be all right, although it’s going to take time. You can’t see her for a while—she needs you to be patient.”
She nodded. “I can handle that. I’m just so…grateful.” She choked up again.
He cradled her cheek in his big, rough palm. “I’d do anything for you, baby. You know that, right?”
She nodded. She did know.
“Now tell me what happened to you.”
He stared into her eyes. “We finished it. I’ll still need to keep you here in protection but it won’t be long before you can return to your normal life, Sloane.”
She looked down at their joined hands. “And if I don’t want to leave you?”
His beautiful crooked smile melted her heart. He raised their hands and kissed the back of her knuckles. “Then you won’t leave me.”
“Ever?”
“I’ll be with you as long as you want.”
Seeing his bandaged head and the stitches still in his arm, she wondered how much she could handle from the man when it came to frights. “Can’t you go back to your maps, Bodhi?”
A grin broke over his face and then he cracked up laughing.
“I’m serious!” She pushed him onto his back and straddled him. Instantly, she felt him go still as her own need sprang up from deep within. She tested his desire for her by rubbing her pussy against him.
He groaned, swelling underneath her.
“You promised me you’d finish what you started when you left,” she said.
“Mmm, I plan to. Let’s start things off in the shower. What do you say?”
* * * * *
After soaping and scrubbing every inch of Sloane’s sweet body under the hot spray of water, he picked her up and carried her back to bed. Taking her nipples in his mouth felt like the heavens were shining down on him, and he’d been given his very own angel to hold as his own.
Swirling his tongue around and around the crest of one sharp point, he watched her face contort with bliss. Every shuddering breath he pulled from her, every goose bump he raised to the surface of her silky skin, felt like a victory. Add that to the events of the day and he flew high.
“Don’t tease me. Bodhi, I want you,” she panted.
Grazing her nipple with his teeth, he stroked her slippery heat between her thighs. She moaned out, and he dipped a fingertip into her sheath.
“I thought you were dead. The least you can do is stop teasing me!”
He rumbled a laugh and bit down on her plump nipple, simultaneously thrusting his finger deep inside her. She twisted underneath his attentions, and no more arguments came from her lips as he drew on her nipple and finger-fucked her.
When he thought he’d tamed her enough, he withdrew and angled his body atop hers. He grated out, “Don’t look away.”
“I won’t. I can’t.”
“Good.” He jerked his hips and sank into her in one sleek thrust. Her inner walls hugged him, and she brought her knees high on his hips so he dipped a fraction deeper.
They stared into each other’s eyes. He began to move. Churning his hips slow at first and then faster as his own release barreled up. The tight ache in his balls drove him wild, and so did the look of passion and love in Sloane’s eyes.
When she clenched around his length and cried out, he let go. The first shot of cum ripped a roar from his mouth that even his people downstairs would hear, but damn if he cared. Sloane rode him faster, bucking upward to take every inch of his length and every drop he had for her.
After the final spurt, he crushed his mouth to hers and gave himself up to her kisses and the languid stroke of her hands up and down his spine.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” she whispered after long moments.
He roused and rolled to the side, taking her with him. She rested her head on his chest. “Baby, you know I can’t promise that. Not in my line of work.”
She nodded. “I don’t want you to give up doing what you love for me. But it’s going to take some getting used to if we’re going to try for a relationship.”
He cupped her cheek. “We are. We’ll figure things out. Hell, look at what we’ve done together. Saved Lauren, saved all those other girls and your sister too.”
“And you saved me.” She rasped her knuckles over the scruff of beard along his jaw.
Staring deep into her eyes, he said, “It’s you who saved me. Because of you I feel more alive than I have in ages. And first thing I’m going to do is take a nice vacation.”
“Where are we going?” She grinned, heart squeezing.
“We’re returning to the cabin on the cove. I never got to show you how relaxing that life can be.”
“Mmm, I can’t wait. I hoped you’d say that.”
“You’re going to be away from me a lot too, when you’re on set or making public appearances.”
“Speaking of which, I hear I need a date for the Oscars. I hope you have a tux.”
“Baby, I look great in a tux.” He kissed her giggles away, and soon they both sobered with rising passion and tumbled into the sheets once more.
Epilogue
Sloane wrapped her arms around her sister and drew her into an enormous hug. “I love you, Scarlett.”
“Love you too.” Her sister drew free to smile at her. Each time she saw her sister, Sloane noticed her smile grew bigger and more genuine as her horrors fell away and she learned how to adjust to her new life—the life she always deserved.
“If you need anything, call me and I’ll be here. If I can’t be, Bodhi will see you get it,” she said.
“I’m fine. I have everything I could ever want.” Scarlett waved to the beach cabin that had become more of a haven to her than either Sloane or Bodhi ever imagined. Not only was the cabin a place of refuge, it was a place of healing.
Here, she and Bodhi had come together in brand-new ways. Spending weeks on the shores and splashing in the waves, and then spending nights in each other’s arms. Their bond and relationship sealed between these very walls that housed Scarlett while she got on her feet.
“You sure you don’t want to come with me to Bodhi’s surprise birthday party?” Sloane asked.
“I’d love to see his face when you give him his present. But I’m not exactly ready for big groups of people.”
Many of Bodhi’s people would be there. Most of The Guard, in fact. After she got over her initial shock at seeing so many men and women who worked undercover to keep people safe, and they got over their awe of her being a movie star, she began to feel as if they were all her family. So inviting everyone to a bash for Bodhi’s birthday felt natural.
The church housing their operation beckoned. She had so many preparations to see to before her man walked in to his surprise party.
Leaning in, Sloane kissed Scarlett one more time. “I’ll see you soon. Love you, sis.”
“Love you more.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Not possible.”
Driving away from the cabin, her mind turned to everything ahead. She mentally listed all the stops she needed to make. She phoned the caterer to ensure they were on target with all the food and drinks. The big birthday cake was on its way to be set up in the party hall off the church. And she had one more stop to make.
She pulled in to the animal shelter parking lot. She’d never been to a shelter before, and her nerves kicked up. She wanted to make the best choice for Bodhi’s first dog.
An hour later, she walked out with three dogs—a pit bull mix, a blind dachshund and a beagle with enough energy to keep them all hopping. She loaded the three into the rear of her car and set off for the church.
When she pulled in, Roman walked out and peered into the window. “You taking up another cause, Sloane?”
“I just might be.” She gave him a smile. She
still felt shy around some of Bodhi’s coworkers.
“You better get inside. He’s asking for you.”
“Oh God, he’s here already?”
“Yeah, we’re having a tough time keeping him out of the way. He’s suspicious.”
“Will you watch over the dogs for me for a few minutes?”
He nodded and opened the car door. She walked away, leaving Roman to hook the dogs’ leashes in place and lead them out for a short walk.
When she entered the church, she spotted Bodhi right away. Seated in a pew, his back to her, head bowed. Her heart flipped over at seeing him again. Would that ever stop? She hoped not. Didn’t seem possible either, not with the power of her feelings.
She moved up behind him. He heard her footsteps and whirled while gaining his feet in the same motion. As he closed his arms around her, she smiled up into his eyes.
He didn’t look happy. “You left without telling me.”
“You were engaged. No one could tear you away from your computer monitor.”
He groaned. “I’m sorry. I get too engrossed in my work. I ignored you.”
She shook her head. “I went to visit Scarlett.”
“That’s why you were gone the whole day. You drove all that distance without me. You’ve gotta be exhausted.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder.
“I am. But I needed some time with her.”
He studied her face. “Is everything all right? Scarlett’s okay?”
“Yes, she is.”
“And you? My beautiful woman.” He kissed her, long and deep. A thrill hit her low in the belly as she returned the soft strokes of his tongue.
Pulling away, she said, “I’m great now that I’m with you. But I’ve got something to show you.”
That crease appeared between his brows. She smiled at the sight of it and then looked down at his entire body, taking in the broad shoulders filling out his favorite—her favorite too—NERD T-shirt, his low-slung jeans and leather boots.
Taking him by the hand, she offered him a private smile and then led him through the church, past the beautiful depiction of Heaven on the rear wall behind the altar, and then down the hallway. At the door adjoining the hall to the church, she paused.
“What are you up to, woman?”
“This!” With that exclamation, she shoved open the double doors to the yells of Surprise!
Bodhi stumbled at the outburst, and his gaze shot around the room to all his friends—and the family that held him together when he needed it most. His gaze landed on hers, and she saw all the tenderness seeping into his eyes.
“Come here, you sneaky, amazing woman.” He brushed his lips over hers as people began a chorus of Happy Birthday.
Oz wheeled over the cake, flaming with candles, and Bodhi puffed up, reared back and blew them out in one go. Everyone applauded, and then from a side room, Sloane heard a small yipping bark, followed by a deeper one from one of the other dogs.
Bodhi heard it too and whipped his head around.
Sloane hurried to the door and opened it. All three dogs exploded out into the room. She barely caught the leashes, and the trio practically dragged her over to her man.
His eyes burned as he stared at the animals. “What is this?”
“Well, this one is your birthday present.” She pointed to the pit bull mix. “But then I couldn’t leave this little guy behind. He’s blind as a bat and it will take us some time to acclimate him to our apartment, but…” She shrugged.
He shook his head as if in amazement. “And the beagle?”
“He just sort of jumped into my car. I couldn’t leave him behind. Is it okay that we suddenly have such a big family?”
He stared at her. “My God, Sloane. Okay? It’s amazing. You’re amazing. I love you so much.” He dragged her into his chest to hold her tight, and she buried her face against his neck to breathe in his masculine scent. After a long minute, he broke away to crouch and greet his new pets with ear rubs.
“Everyone, a toast!” Oz called out, lifting a glass high. Someone placed drinks in her and Bodhi’s hands, and they raised them as well. “To a great friend and an integral part of the Church. To North.”
“To North!” they echoed and drank to him.
He turned to Sloane again, a gentle smile on his face. “I love you so much. I can’t believe you organized this without me knowing. But you’re not the only one who’s good at surprises.”
He reached into his pocket and held up a diamond ring in front of her eyes. “Say yes, baby. Say it’s forever.”
Heart pounding with excitement, she noticed how quiet the room had become. Her insides shook. The only thing that could make this moment better would be if Scarlett were here to witness it. But soon she’d have her sister to share in wedding preparations.
Stepping up to Bodhi, she tilted her head to stare into his eyes. “Yes. With all my heart.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger, and the room erupted in cheers and dog barks, but she hardly noticed any of it, because her entire world had her wrapped tight in his arms, safe and sound…exactly where she belonged.
THE END
If you enjoyed HIS TO PROTECT, please leave a review! Also KEEP READING for a sneak peek of DIXON.
Mersey, Tennessee—home sweet fucking home.
Dixon’s old stomping ground sure as hell didn’t seem the same. Before he left for the military and served three tours in Afghanistan, the streets were dirty and dusty, the street lamps rusty.
Sometime during Dixon’s absence, the new town officials not only cleaned up the streets by laying new sidewalks and planting trees, but they installed Mersey’s very first traffic light. It dangled against a backdrop of the Smoky Mountains and a summery blue sky.
He parked his old Chevy on the corner in the only available parking spot between two SUVs sporting bike racks—damn, the tourists really were out in full force today, weren’t they? He cut the engine, but the old V-6 took a while to stop chugging. As soon as he got a break from the family mechanic business, he’d tune up his own ride.
He climbed out and slammed the door. Before he crossed the street to the auto parts store, he took a long look up the street. About thirty bikes lined one side. Another new addition to Mersey, but the steel and leather looked out of place against the colorful storefronts, signs and pots of flowers.
With a grunt, he slicked his too-long hair off his face and crossed the street to the auto parts store. As soon as he entered, he cast a glance at two men clad in leather cuts bearing the name of their motorcycle gang. One stood at the checkout hassling old Mr. Hall about a price.
Dixon didn’t consciously go into full alert mode—it just happened. After fighting for freedom, he prepared for a fight everywhere he went.
Feeling the tension rippling along his shoulders, he headed through the store to the oil filters aisle. He crouched in front of the rack and selected several common sizes he saw on a weekly basis in the shop.
“What the fuck. Rothchild?”
He tossed a look over his shoulder to see his buddy from the days of sneaking a pretty girl wearing Daisy Dukes into the back seat of his parents’ car. A grin broke over his face as he straightened from his crouch.
Thrusting out a hand, he looked up another two inches to meet his friend’s eyes. “Tank. Man, it’s been a long time. How the hell ya been?”
Tank clasped his hand, jerking him in for a hard thump on the back. When Dixon pounded Tank’s shoulder, he felt the same hard granite that blocked so many quarterbacks back in the good ole days of Mersey Falcons football. Undefeated three years running.
They drew back from the bro-hug. Tank grinned down at him. “Fuck, man, you filled out. You’re about as broad as me.”
Dixon sized him up. “I’m still bigger where it counts.” He nodded downward.
Tank busted up laughing. “Still a mouthy motherfucker. You back in town for good?”
He rubbed at his jaw with his fingers that never were clean of oil and
grease no matter how much he scrubbed. “I’m back for now,” was all he’d commit to.
Shifting his weight from huge steel-toed boot to boot, Tank folded his arms, which was Tank’s way of settling in for a long talk. “Where ya working?”
“My dad’s shop.”
“I shoulda guessed by your hands. You always were the best with cars. Where ya livin’?”
“Above the shop.” He didn’t like admitting the step backward he’d taken. After being out on his own for so many years, it burned his ass to essentially live with his parents again. Even if he didn’t share the same roof with them, his momma still babied him by baking his favorite oatmeal butterscotch cookies and bringing them up the side stairs of the shop to him.
Tank chuckled. “Dude, I bet your momma just loves that.”
He thought on those gooey cookies. “Yeah, but it’s not all so bad. Enough about me. Where have you been? You ever get out of Mersey?”
“For a while, yeah. Lived in Gatlinburg about a year. Till my wife ran off with a truck driver from Myrtle Beach.”
He huffed out a breath. “Damn, that’s rough.”
“Best day of my life. Sex was fantastic, but we fought like hell. Anyway, I’ve been back here for about eighteen months. Been working at the mill. Heftin’ logs all day wears me out, but I’ve been known to hold down a bar stool down at the Painted Pig.”
He chuckled at the name of the bar they were forever trying to sneak in as kids and pass themselves off as drinking age. “I can’t believe that old place is still standing. The town’s cleaned up so much, I thought they might have closed down.”
“Nope. Gotta grab a cold one somewhere. Speaking of, what are ya doin’ right now? Grab the shit you need and let’s have a drink.”
He lifted his chin toward the case of oil not far away. “Grab one o’ those cases and make yourself useful.” He filled his own arms with the filters and they headed up to the checkout. The bikers were gone, and Mr. Hall shot them a relieved look at their approach.
“Those guys are good for business—always in here buyin’ parts for their Harleys—but they’re a pain in my ass too. Pains in everyone’s asses,” Hall muttered as he rang up the filters.