Protect Me

by Alexis Winter

  I step out, closing the door behind me, and walk over to the barn where I find him baling hay.

  “Long time no see,” I say, leaning against a horse stall.

  “Hi, Amy. How ya been?” he asks from over his shoulder.

  I shrug and press my lips together. “Not too bad, I guess.”

  He stops his work, placing his hands on his hips as he looks me up and down. “I see you haven’t run off to become a professional beach bum yet.”

  A puff of air leaves my lips as a silent laugh. “Nah, not only does the pay suck, but the health insurance is nonexistent.”

  He lets out a short laugh. “So, you’re house-sitting for the week?”

  I nod. “Yep. I’m going to be stuck way out here in the middle of nowhere. Boredom City,” I joke.

  He begins stalking closer, eyes trained on mine. “I don’t know. I’m sure we can find something to do out here.”

  With his every step, my heart beats faster. “Oh yeah?” I stand up straight. “You got plans for dinner?”

  He offers up a cocky grin as he comes to a stop in front of me, sliding his hands into his jean pockets. “I just happen to have two steaks marinating right now. I was worried I’d have to eat them both myself, but if you’d like to take one off my hands, that’d be great.” He offers up a sexy grin.

  I smile up at him. “Are you inviting me over for dinner?”

  “What do you say?”

  I think it over, unable to say no. I nod. “Sure.”

  His grin turns into a full-blown smile. “Good. Just let me finish up here and I’ll come in and get you.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll go clean up.” I walk past him, feeling his eyes on my back the whole way.

  When I walk into the house, I rush to the kitchen, grabbing my bags and taking them up to the guest room. Tossing them onto the bed, I dig through my belongings until I find a short jean skirt and a low-cut top. Taking both items to the bathroom, I jump into the shower to freshen up and shave.

  About an hour later, I’m walking down the stairs just as he knocks on the door. “Come in!” I call out, pausing in the corner to pull on my jacket.

  He steps inside, looking absolutely delicious. His tight Wranglers fit him to perfection. His white t-shirt is wet with sweat, and it clings to his every muscle. Just looking at him causes me to freeze and my heart to beat harder.

  He gives me a sexy smile. “You ready?”

  I nod, realizing that I probably look like a crazy person who’s frozen in place just staring at him. “Uh, yeah.” I nod. “Yes, I’m ready.”

  He holds the door open for me and I step out.

  Once we’re in his truck, I notice that he doesn’t leave the driveway. Instead, he follows the dirt road around the house and into a field.

  “You live out here?” I point toward the line of trees that surround the big empty field.

  “Yeah, I live on the property. I stay in the hunting cabin that’s just through these trees.”

  “Wow, that’s interesting. Liam must be very generous.”

  “I’m the ranch hand. If the cows get out in the middle of the night, I need to be close by to wrangle them up. I can’t do that if I live in town. So Liam offered me this place for free. I thought it’d be a great way to save up some money to hopefully buy my own ranch one of these days.”

  He drives through the opening in the trees and comes to a stop about a mile into the woods. There’s a small cabin—not tiny, but not huge—in front of us. There’s no grass since the massive trees block the sun from reaching the ground, and despite the lack of vegetation, it feels homey. The wood siding is a rich chocolate color, and there’s a covered porch out front. Based on the smoke coming from the chimney, there’s a fire burning inside, meaning the place will be warm and cozy.

  “This is it,” Tyler says, hopping out. He walks around the truck and comes to a stop at my door, opening it and holding out his hand to help me down. I place my hand in his, and he leads me to the front door.

  Stepping inside, the warmth of the fire hits me, and I feel instantly relaxed.

  “Sorry about the smoke smell. This place is old and the only way to heat it is with the wood-burning stove and fireplace. Since it’s never seen a bit of sun, it stays cool up into the summer months.”

  I shrug off my jacket and drape it over the back of the old brown leather couch. “I like it. It gives this place a warm, comforting feeling.” I glance around the room, taking in the stone fireplace, the leather couch and matching chair, the small TV in the corner, and the bearskin rug on the ground.

  “How long have you lived here?”

  “A couple years,” he answers. “Why?”

  I walk up to the fireplace and view the pictures on the mantle. “It’s just that all the pictures in this cabin are of Liam and—I’m guessing—his family. There’s nothing of yours? Nothing to make it homier for you?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t need things to feel at home. There’s nothing left for me there. You want a drink?” he asks, walking into the kitchen.

  I want to ask him what he means by that, and what made him leave home in the first place, but I feel like it’s none of my business and that maybe he will open up to me when he gets to know me better. “Sure,” I answer his question.

  He comes back a few seconds later, taking a sip of his beer and handing me one of my own. I look at the bottle, at him, and back. “Actually, do you have anything else? I don’t really feel like drinking.”

  “Oh, yeah. Just a sec.” He disappears and returns, handing me a water bottle. “Make yourself comfortable while I throw these steaks on the grill.”

  I sit on the couch, watching the fire and occasionally glancing around the room. When he comes back in, he heads straight for the kitchen and I get up and follow him.

  “Is there anything I can do? I feel weird sitting alone while you do everything.”

  “Uh,” he glances around the room like he’s trying to find me a job, “you can make a salad if you’d like.”

  I force a smile onto my face and crack my knuckles. “My specialty is coffee, but I’ll give it a shot.” I laugh.

  He smiles and finds me a wooden bowl, a cutting board, and a knife. “Everything you’ll need is in the fridge. I’ll be back in a second. I’m going to toss on the steaks.”

  When he walks out, I go to the fridge to pull out the lettuce and the rest of the vegetables. My stomach is in knots and I don’t even know if I’ll be able to eat. Things in the barn felt easy, but now it feels strained. Why did he invite me over? Was it so I wouldn’t be alone? Did he really want to enjoy my company, or did he just want to try to get lucky again? Today is the first time we’ve seen each other since he snuck out of my bed, and I want to ask him why. It’s nearly burning my tongue to hold in my questions.

  Between grilling the steaks, Tyler bakes some rolls and potatoes. I keep to myself and absentmindedly chop the vegetables for the salad. When everything is done, we set the table and sit down. It then hits me that I haven’t even looked at him the whole time we’ve been preparing dinner.

  “Is everything okay, Amy? You seem quiet.”

  I jerk my head up. “What? Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  He pulls his eyes from mine, looking at the food on his plate as he moves it around. “It’s just that you haven’t said much since I picked you up. Did I do something?”

  I take a deep breath. “I’m just confused is all.”

  “About?” he urges.

  “Well…I guess I’m just trying to figure out what this is. I mean, I haven’t seen you or heard from you since that night. And earlier in the barn, things seemed easy between us. But since you brought me here, things feel forced. Did you really want to have dinner with me, or did you just feel obligated because I was alone? And if you really wanted to have dinner, was it for my company or was it for another hookup?” I’m nearly breathless from that long drawn-out speech.

  He lets out a laugh over the speed of ever
ything that just escaped my mouth. He nods. “I see.” He pauses, thinking it over. “I didn’t feel obligated to invite you, Amy. I really did want to spend the evening with you. As far as the hookup, I wasn’t planning anything. I figured we’d just see where we ended up.”

  I take another deep breath and release it, hoping to force myself to calm down. “I’m sorry. I’m just confused. I thought we had a really great night together. I didn’t expect you to sneak out of my apartment.”

  I watch as his jaw flexes. He picks up his beer and takes a drink. “Amy,” he breathes out, “I had a great time with you that night. It’s just that staying over, it isn’t something I do. Relationships aren’t something I do. Now, if you just want to have fun, I’m your guy, but—” He shakes his head. “If you’re looking for something serious, I’m afraid you’re looking in the wrong place.”

  I swallow down the sadness that’s bubbling up my throat and push back my chair, standing up and walking to the fridge to grab a beer. I pop the top and take a long drink, feeling his eyes on me. I lean against the counter, looking at my feet and thinking everything over.

  I like Tyler, and I definitely could’ve seen myself moving forward with him. But now that’s out of the question. Do I still want to see him if I know it can never be anything?

  He stands and walks directly in front of me, his chest nearly touching mine. “Look at me, Amy,” he demands.

  Chapter Six

  When he speaks in that deep tone of his, I have no choice but to look at him.

  He gently cups my cheek and wets his lips, leaving me speechless. “I like you, Amy. You’re fun to be around, you’re sexy as fuck, and I hope I’m not going out on a limb here, but the sex, it’s amazing. I’d love to keep doing this thing with you, but only if you understand that I’ll never be able to give you more.”

  His eyes are intently locked on mine, and the hand that’s tenderly cupping my cheek is causing my flesh to break out in goosebumps. How can such a simple touch cause my body to react this way? He’s touching me innocently, but the only thing I can think of is climbing up his body and never letting go. I want to feel his weight pressing against me. I want to feel his hot breath blowing against my skin. I want to be lost in his scent, in his taste.

  “I…” My sentence breaks off as I get lost in his eyes.

  Before I can force myself to say what I’m thinking, he leans in, pressing his mouth against mine. His tongue snakes into my mouth, gliding with my own and causing my brain to fill with fog.

  I know I want a meaningful relationship, but I also want him. He’s the only person who’s ever left a lasting effect on me. Every other guy I’ve hooked up with was gone from my mind the second we parted ways. But Tyler…there’s something about him that I can’t deny. Something inside of me that longs for him.

  The hand that was cupping my cheek moves around to cradle my head, the other landing on my hip, pulling me closer to him until my chest is flush against his. My hands immediately wrap around his neck, wanting to keep him against me forever.

  He slowly breaks the kiss, trailing his lips across my jaw and down my neck, peppering my skin with hot kisses.

  “I won’t lie to you, Amy. I want you. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone.” He gently bites my earlobe. “When I walked in and saw you in this skirt, I wanted to bend you over right then.” His hand releases my hip and fists the waistband of my skirt, pulling my hips against his, where I find him straining against his jeans. “You have no idea what you do to me.” He pulls back, looking into my eyes. They are dark and hooded with passion and lust. “If you don’t tell me to stop right now, I’m going to carry you to my bed and spend the rest of the night fucking you senseless.”

  My lungs freeze with his words, no longer pumping oxygen through my body, and my head starts to swim. I know what I want. I want him. I want to feel him inside me again. I want to spend the rest of the night being reminded of why I can’t deny him.

  “Take me to your bed, Tyler,” I whisper.

  When the words leave my lips, he smashes his mouth against mine and picks me up against him in one swift motion. My legs automatically wrap around his hips, and he carries me to his room, hands firmly planted on my ass.

  He doesn’t break our kiss the whole way. He doesn’t stop with his journey until we’re in his room, and he’s pressing my back against the bedroom door. He sets to work pulling off his shirt, all the while, my hands tour his body. With his shirt on the floor, I can finally run my fingers over his hard abs, and they’re just as magnificent as I remember. They’re hard and defined, my fingers sweeping over each and every one in a tantalizingly slow motion.

  He’s keeping my body pinned against the door. His hands latch onto my wrist, and he pins my arms above my head. Holding them both with one hand, his other hand is free to tease me. And he does. He firmly grabs my breast, kneading and massaging while his tongue twists with mine, causing me to release a soft moan into his mouth.

  He gently but firmly nips my bottom lip. “You have no idea what that sound does to me, do you?” He locks his intense gaze on mine.

  I open my mouth, not even sure of what I’m going to say, but before I can say anything, he’s moving us both across the room and we’re falling onto the bed softly with him cradling me in his strong arms.

  I love the way he takes charge and dominates me. I love the way I feel so small and cherished in his strong hands—like he’d never let any harm come to me. And I love the way he causes my body, heart, and soul to come alive with something as simple as a look.

  He sits back on his knees and keeps his eyes locked on mine in the darkness as his nimble fingers unbutton and unzip my skirt. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat and his jaw twitches as his eyes follow the piece of material as he pushes it down my legs.

  When the skirt is tossed onto the floor, his hand gently lands on my ankle, fingers sweeping up my leg in a teasing way. The soft touch brings on more goosebumps, and it causes me to shiver with need. Once he reaches my knee, his hand hooks around my leg, and he pulls it upward, pressing hot kisses to my inner thigh, slowly working his way up.

  I know that Tyler says he’s unavailable, but this doesn’t feel like a hookup. Hookups are fast and rushed. It’s a race to the finish line. This feels different. He’s touching and teasing. He’s taking his time with me. He’s giving much more than he’s taking. This feels intimate. It’s even different from the last time we were together. Last time, he gave as much as he took, but it wasn’t slow. It’s was fast, raw, and completely unemotional. I wonder if the emotion is only on my end though, or if maybe he’s feeling more than he’s letting on.

  His fingers gently pull my panties down my legs, and that snaps me back to the present. He begins lowering himself, but I don’t want his mouth there. I want it on mine. I want him to feel how much I’m giving. I want him to realize that this—we—could become so much more.

  I reach for him, cupping each side of his jaw as I direct his lips back to mine. I kiss him slowly and deeply, and it only seems to amp up the emotion and need between the both of us. With our lips welded together, he begins shoving his boxers down his hips. His massive erection springs free, pressing against my needy core.

  His callused hands massage my hips, pulling me closer, but also pushing me away. It’s like he wants me with everything inside of him, but his mind is in a battle: to let himself take me, or to push me away for his own safety.

  I won’t give him a choice.

  I lift my hips, causing his length to slide between my folds. The sensation causes him to let out a deep, breathy moan against my lips, and his hands squeeze me tighter. His hips start grinding against mine, sliding himself back and forth across my wet center. His silky, soft skin causes my body to erupt in flames, burning from the inside out from the need that’s pumping through me.

  “Tyler!” I cry out, my voice sounding pained as I nip his bottom lip.

  He pulls back to study my face, slowly continuing to slide agai
nst my sex. “Are you going to beg, Amy?” His eyes are darkened with desire and his plump lips are parted with his heavy breathing.

  I want to. I would beg if needed. But right now, I want him to want me as much as I want him. I push against his chest until he pulls away enough for me to roll us over. Taking my place on top of him, I lower myself down onto his hard cock as slowly as I can.

  His hands land firmly on my hips as he watches me with dark eyes, lips parted and chest heaving. I raise myself up and let myself back down in a tantalizingly slow rhythm, loving that each stroke causes him to let out a low groan. I raise my arms, pulling my hair away from my face and holding it up off my neck while I continue with my movements, and his hands on my hips start to shake. He’s doing everything he can to hold himself back, to give me the power that I took when I pushed him off of me and climbed on top.

  “Are you going to beg, Tyler?” I whisper, never stopping as I tease him as slowly as possible.

  “I don’t beg, Amy,” he says between clenched teeth, hands squeezing harder—so hard that there are naked bits of flesh bubbling up between each of his fingers.

  I let out a short laugh. “It seems to me you’re doing everything but begging. Just give it up and admit that you want me more than you’re letting on.” I slide back down his length and roll my hips forward, causing him to press against a different spot.

  His mouth drops open and his eyes roll back. “Oh, there’s no doubt that I want you, Amy.” He lifts his hips, thrusting upward from beneath me. “But this,” he motions between the two of us with his hooded eyes, “is all it’ll ever be.”

  Without another word, he flips us over and starts pounding into me with so much force, I’m sliding up the bed. He’s no longer able to hold himself back. He let me take what I wanted from him, and now he’s taking what he wants from me. But it seems to me that he’s not taking for himself. He’s taking just to show me how much I like it. He’s trying to prove his point—to make me accept the fact that everything between us is up to him.