Protecting Her: A Romance Bundle

by Mia Ford

  “Yes, of course. I got this.” She took a moment before pushing herself away from the counter and went back to make her sandwich. I didn’t see Nate, so I assumed that he wasn’t coming in today. Noel came out a few minutes later with a plate and gave me a curious look as she grabbed her coffee. “Go,” I urged her as she walked out to a table. I looked over the dining room to see that everyone was settled and then at the door, seeing a few customers walking in. I put a bright smile on my face as they approached me, not looking at Robert even though I felt him looking at me. He left a few minutes later and I waved at him as every woman that had seen our earlier exchange watched.

  I didn’t want this to be the new story in town. I was trying to figure it out myself first.

  Once Noel got back, she started to clean up the back while I picked dishes up at the tables. After that, I cleaned up front as much as I could before we closed. It slowed down later in the day and we were usually out of the store within a half an hour or so. Today was no different and I got into the car, debating on whether to talk to Noel. I knew that she was going to ask what was going on. She always did. She got into the Jeep and started the engine, leaving the radio down low as she glanced at me. “Want to talk about it?” Her voice was soft and I licked my lips.

  “Robert asked me to stay with him tonight. He offered to drive me to work in the morning,” I said as she nodded and pulled out on the street.

  “Are you scared of what might happen?” Noel asked as I looked forward.

  “It’s not that. He wouldn’t rush me into anything. I just don’t want to inconvenience him at all.” She stopped at a light and stared at me.

  “He offered, Molly. He wants to be with you.” Noel sounded confused before realization crossed her face. “Oh. Lance never offered to do anything kind for you, did he?” I shook my head. “What an asshole. I wish he knew how he still messed with your head sometimes. It’s so…unfair.” She moved forward at the green light and fell quiet until we turned on the street to get home. “You need to try to give this a chance.”

  “I am trying to. We couldn’t talk about it too much because my lunch was over.” I told her as she rolled her eyes. “I know you don’t keep track but we have a business to run. I just needed a moment to work it all through my head.”

  “I get that. Did you give him a firm no about tonight?” She asked as I told her that I didn’t.

  “Is it moving too fast?” I asked her and Noel smiled.

  “You’re asking me that? I always move too fast, but I think he cares about you. I mean, Robert is gorgeous and could be a total man whore if he chose to, but I don’t get that vibe. I think if he ever was, he’s moving past that. Does he know about Lance?” Noel asked as I pressed my lips together for a moment.

  “I told him a little bit, yes. I felt like he should know.” I looked at the house as she pulled into the driveway. “We got kind of intimate last night. I mean, I didn’t sleep with him but…I responded to him barely touching me. Is that weird?” I asked, looking at her as she parked the car.

  “That is magic,” Noel told me as she smiled at me. “Enjoy every moment of it because it doesn’t happen all the time. I know that for a fact.”

  “Yeah, I guessed as much. The way I feel about him scares me sometimes. He’s so different than I am.” Noel got out of the Jeep and laughed.

  “You’re an old soul, Molly. He’s just an older guy that’s lived a longer life. Maybe you’re perfect for one another. You’ll never know if you don’t try, right?” I nodded in agreement as we walked towards the house, walking in to the smell of simmering marinara sauce on the stove. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hey, girls. How was your day?” Marta called out as we went to see her. Noel told her about the day at the cafe and got us some water to drink when Marta looked at me.

  “I saw that you came in for some pie last night. Did he like it?” She asked me as I smiled and nodded. “Robert is such a nice man. I enjoyed having him over for dinner last night.”

  “He had a great time as well,” I assured her as she raised a perfect dark brow.

  “Are you going to see him again?” Marta asked and I shared a gaze with Noel.

  “He wants me to stay there tonight. Is that too fast?” I asked as Marta chuckled.

  “Not in this day and age, though I want him to respect you. Does he?” She looked at me with a serious gaze and I nodded with a small smile. “Then take a chance. See what happens.” She winked at me. “Let’s be honest. He’s gorgeous and you have to give him a chance because of that.” I laughed just as I heard my phone chime from my pocket.

  “This might be my chance.” I retrieved it and checked the screen, knowing that few people called me. I was certain that it was Robert and I smiled when I saw his name attached to a message.

  R: Are we on for tonight?

  “Tell him that there’s pasta simmering for dinner if he’s hungry. I like Robert.” Marta told me as I laughed and sent the message. I was going to spend the night with Robert, a man that physically drove me crazy. I knew that my virginity was on the line here and the idea both terrified me and thrilled me.

  Of course, he agreed to dinner. I was going to eat with Robert and my family again, knowing that I was going to be in bed with him tonight. This was so strange and I turned to go up to my room for a small nap and some time alone to work through this.

  The nap was nearly nonexistent and I showered before pulling on some clean jeans and a purple Henley before he was supposed to arrive for dinner. I brushed my hair out, having left it dry through the shower to save a little time.

  I was headed downstairs when I heard the doorbell ring, smiling as Marta and Noel glanced up at me. I smiled as I opened the door, seeing Robert standing there in jeans and a thick plaid flannel, staring over the land for a moment. He moved his eyes to mine, sending a shock wave through my body as I licked my stained plum lips. “Hey.”

  Dinner was ready quickly but that didn’t matter. After a soft kiss at the front door, Robert was inside the living room joking with Keith before laughing with Marta at the table. It was like he was already a part of this family and that made all of this so much more complex.

  15

  Robert

  I liked her family even more that night. They were warm and funny and it was obvious that at least the women knew our plans for the night. What were the plans though? Was I going to ease her closer to letting me inside of her or drive myself insane trying? Would Molly just want to lay there and talk?

  I never did that before.

  We cleaned up for Marta, washing the dishes together before Molly smiled at me. “Can we get some ice cream before we go to your house? Marta made some yummy chocolate cake and ice cream goes well with it.”

  “Of course.” I hung the towel on the oven and glanced around the kitchen. It was eight o’clock which left us with enough time to spend together before she got some sleep…if she got some sleep. I had no idea what was going to happen.

  “I’ll go grab my backpack.” Molly looked around and stood on her toes to kiss me gently, making me have high hopes for tonight. I wanted to take it a little further tonight and show her more about the art of control and how pleasurable it could be. It worked well the first night. I watched her leave before I walked into the living room to see the family talking as they watched a game on TV and Marta looked at me.

  “I packed you some leftovers and cake, Robert. They’re in the white bag in the fridge.” She seemed so comfortable with Molly going home with me, but she wasn’t her mother. Marta seemed to get life and how it worked.

  “Thank you, Marta. I appreciate that.” I heard the steps on the stairs and watched as Molly came down wearing a jacket with a backpack slung over one shoulder. I grabbed the food from the fridge and we said our goodbyes and I led her to the car in the dark evening sky, watching her intently. “Are you sure about this?” I asked her as she looked at me with big eyes, wide with desire.

  “I want you to make me come again and
just fall asleep after I’m done. I want your warmth.” I wondered how many ways she wanted me to do that for her as my cock hardened in my pants, but I settled for getting her inside the car and making it safely back to my house. We were both quiet during the drive and I glanced at her at a light to see the thoughtful look on her beautiful face.

  We pulled into the garage and Molly turned towards me as the door closed behind us, bathing us in the soft glow of the garage light. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

  “It’s okay,” I told her as I watched her move towards me, her soft mouth claiming mine in a kiss. She was hungry for me and I let her lead the kiss, closing my eyes as our tongues touched and moved together.

  “I freak out sometimes. You’re a good man and I’ve never had that. I just don’t know how to handle it sometimes.” Her voice was a whisper and I looked into her face for a moment, seeing the fear in her eyes.

  “We’ll work through it together. I am not going to hurt you. I’m…” My voice trailed off as I realized that I was getting attached to her. “I never want to hurt you or scare you.”

  We kissed for a little while before walking into the house and getting the food put away. “Shit. You wanted ice cream. I forgot on the way home.” I had been thinking too much about Molly in my bed and I opened the door to my freezer. I didn’t often keep things like ice cream in the house but I smiled when I found some vanilla. “I have some. Do you want dessert, Molly?”

  I turned to see her throwing herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she kissed me. I managed to hold her and nudge the freezer closed with my back, kissing her deeply. Molly was needy right now and I wanted to fill any void that she might have. I slipped my hands down to cup her ass, urging her to wrap her legs around me as I started to carry her through the house. She’d lost the backpack somewhere on the way inside and I dropped her to the floor of my room, slipping her coat off as I searched her face with my eyes.

  Molly took a deep breath and lifted her shirt over her head, revealing a thin white bra with her hard nipples prominent. I reached down to touch her over the material, squeezing as I kissed her again.

  Molly turned to look at the bed as I slipped off my flannel, revealing a fitted gray t-shirt underneath as I walked over to start a fire. It was getting cooler out and this would provide some heat and a romantic atmosphere for whatever was going to happen between us. I worked my boots off and turned to look at her, letting my fantasies of control run through my mind.

  She looked at the fire and smiled at me as I walked forward, cupping her face to kiss her again. It was Molly that unhooked her bra, letting it slide down her body as I eased us back towards the bed.

  The room was filling with orange light from the fire, adding to the light that trickled in from the living room. I felt her drop onto the mattress and moved to kiss her jawline, nibbling softly. Molly moaned as I thumbed her nipple, finding it hard as I pressed against it. I moved down her neck, falling with her as she dropped to her back.

  So willing.

  I sucked on the tender neck of her skin as I spread her legs with my knees, moving down her body to kiss between her breasts. I let one hand slide between her legs, listening to her moan of pleasure as I stroked her over the jeans. “Rob,” she said softly, unaware that she’d just shortened my name in her pleasure. I liked it and increased the pressure to reward her as I sucked a nipple into my mouth. “Oh, God.” Molly reached down to unbutton her jeans, sliding them down her body as I lifted myself to allow her room, trembling with want. “Please touch me, Rob. I need to feel you.” She grabbed my hand and pressed it over the damn cotton of her underwear as I let out a groan. I dropped back to my knees and moved my fingers slowly before sucking on her other nipple, increasing the pressure as I moved the material of her underwear aside to touch her bare pussy. It was wet, smooth and I circled her swollen clit as she cried out. I never thought she’d be this naked in front of me and I teased her relentlessly, watching her ease to the edge before moving my finger away.

  “Hold it, baby,” I whispered as she parted her lips and breathed deeply. I dragged my teeth lightly over her nipple as she moaned and stroked her folds, close to where she needed me the most. “Try to hold the orgasm for me.” I found her nub again, making her jump as she bit her lip.

  My cock was aching to be released as I controlled my movements, watching her face. She looked like she wanted to let go and I knew that I wanted her to. I couldn’t wait any longer. I kept in mind that she was a virgin, unaware of any experience that she had before that and pressed my thumb to her clit as I slipped the tip of my finger inside of Molly. “Come for me, Molly.” She was tight and so wet and I felt her tighten around me as she screamed my name, coming hard.

  Her face clenched with the initial release, her pants coming out hard and fast. I stilled, feeling her warmth wash over my finger still halfway inside of her while I reached my other hand down to rub my cock for a hint of relief. I wanted to spread her legs open and rip that underwear right from her body. I wanted to fuck her hard and deep, watching her take every thick inch of me.

  Instead, I loosened my jeans and dropped onto the bed beside her with a long sigh. I knew that Molly would be tired and possibly fall asleep, which I was fine with knowing the hours that she worked. I wanted to have more of her but there would be time for that. There was no rush even though I was throbbing painfully underneath my jeans. I looked at her, seeing her slump against the mattress as she kept breathing. “I’ll get you something to drink.” I stood and walked out to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water as I looked at the bag of food from Marta. “Do you want some cake and ice cream?” I called out, knowing that Molly would hear me. The house wasn’t that big.

  “That sounds great,” she called back and I pulled the bag out of the fridge. I cut a slice of the decadent looking cake and put it on a large plate, scooping two big scoops of ice cream over it before I grabbed a spoon with a grin on my face.

  Carrying everything back to the bedroom, I saw that she was curled up on the pillows watching the door. She wasn’t dressed but did have the blanket pulled over her as she looked at me. “Thanks.”

  “What for?” I asked as I set the plate on the table beside the bed and opened the water, handing it to her first.

  “That felt…amazing. I have been scared of being touched for a few years now but I wanted you so much. I wanted to give myself to you that way and I am glad that I did, no matter what happens from here.” She smiled and sipped the water. “The way that you told me to wait really does make it feel good. Have you always done that with women?”

  I took a slow breath and gazed at her. “Sit up. I want to feed you some of this. I might spread some of this frosting on you and suck it off, too. If you’re lucky.” Her eyes widened as she scooted up with her back on the pillows and her body covered with the throw that I kept draped over the bed.

  “What?” She breathed as I took the plate and broke off a piece of the cake, dipping it into the ice cream before I fed her. She took it, moaning in delight at the taste and I got myself a generous bite.

  “Damn, this is good,” I murmured as she nodded and met my eyes, the question remaining all over her face.

  “Molly, I haven’t always done that. It’s something that I learned along the way; something that I enjoy. Do you?” She nodded and smiled weakly. “I’m sure you know that there’s more to it than that, but we’ll take it slow.”

  “What else?” She asked as her eyes darkened. I distracted her with another bite of the cake before I tugged gently on the blanket. She let it go and I bared her to me again, watching her eyes as she fought the urge to cover herself.

  “You’re beautiful. Don’t hide that,” I murmured as I dipped my finger into the ice cream and rubbed it gently over her nipple. Molly gasped at the coldness of it and pebbled against me as I smiled at her. “Have you had a finger inside of you before?”

  “Yes, I have done most of everything else. I just haven’t had sex yet,” she said a
s I repeated the motion with her other nipple. I kept the cold going for a few moments as her body reacted strongly and she started to moan. I scooped some more cake on the spoon and fed her again, watching her lips wrap tightly around the spoon as I hardened again.

  When I was ready, I spread some frosting over her nipples and hovered over her, staring into her eyes. I lowered my mouth over her, sucking the sweetness from her body hard, watching her drop her head back to moan. Her legs parted on their own, giving me a good view of the underwear that she’d fixed while I was gone. I stared down her stomach as I sucked, eating the thick frosting from her body to taste the vanilla underneath as she started to cry out.

  I finished cleaning her off and moved my lips down her body, nipping and kissing gently as I gave her a good idea of where I was going. She looked at me, scared as I paused and stared back at her. “Are you okay?”

  “The last time this happened…it was rough. I didn’t like it.” Anger filled me at the idea of someone ruining something so intimate and erotic for her.

  “Do you want me to stop?” I asked her as she took a deep breath. Molly shook her head and I pressed my lips to her skin tenderly.

  16

  Molly

  My heart was racing as I felt him moving closer to my core. Lance did this a couple of times, but he was so rough and I never enjoyed it. I stopped him after that and I was certain that was part of what led to our demise. Robert was being so sweet, kissing me all over before he actually touched me there. His lips were so soft, tickling me as he found my inner thighs, so soft and wet. I whimpered as he traced me with his tongue and spread my folds open before breathing against me.

  By the time he was finished teasing me, I was close to sobbing from the need building up inside of me. “Please. I can’t wait any longer.”

  “You smell so sweet, Molly. I can’t wait to taste you.” Robert paused before he pressed his lips against my pussy, his tongue tracing me.