Chapter 8
Amaris woke a few hours later on the sofa alone. There was a blanket tossed over her and a fire burning brightly. She could hear the sizzle of something cooking in the kitchen. Whatever it was it smelled good and her stomach immediately started to growl. After such an exquisite night of lovemaking she was famished.
A delicious smile pulled at her lips as she thought of how Noah had taken her to extremes she’d never been to before. Amaris came harder with Noah than she had with any lover before him. Noah had known just when to challenge her further and when to treat her gently. It was a tricky balance, but he pulled it off. He’d been so big, initially Amaris wasn’t sure she could have him. Now another lover would never do. In the past, Amaris had plenty of time to fantasize about what making love to Noah would feel like, but what they’d shared exceeded all expectations.
She swung her legs over the side of the sofa and tucked the blanket around her body. Her legs were still wobbly and she wasn’t sure she would be able to stand on them. It was par for the course. Her night with Noah had been one of bliss and she’d awakened sore, but thoroughly pleased. Maybe she was even a little greedy for more. She wouldn’t have minded waking up to his thick cock stretching her open again or even his mouth on her pussy. Just the thought got her hot all over again.
She reached between her thighs and caressed her still puffy lower lips. She was trying to quiet her body’s churning for more. She didn’t trust that she could take another pounding right now, even though she wanted it. Besides, after the way they’d ravaged each other, Amaris knew they would have many more nights together. She didn’t have to rush and have him all at once. Amaris eventually lifted from the sofa. She walked over to the peninsula and sat on a barstool as she watched Noah work at the stove. Amaris didn’t even know she liked a man who could cook until Noah was whipping up meals for them with ease. He’d mentioned in passing that his mother taught him how to cook right beside his sister. Her thinking was that before he settled down, Noah would have a few years as a bachelor and she didn’t want him to starve to death. It was a sweet sentiment and gave Amaris even more insight into who he was and why. As she sat at the bar, Amaris was disappointed to find Noah was now wearing a pair of sweatpants. At least he was still bare chested she reasoned. This way she could still enjoy the muscled rippling of his shoulders and back. She even got a full view of her scratch marks over his shoulder blades.
A few of her marks caused her to push together her brow. Amaris hadn’t intended to cut him as deeply as she had. She just hadn’t anticipated how good he could make her feel. Even in her wildest dreams, Amaris couldn’t have fabricated such a delicious session. A chill went down her spine as flashes of what happened last night replayed in her head. She needed him before, but now they could not go back. Amaris wouldn’t be able to settle for anyone, but him. Noah turned around holding two plates of omelets and fresh fruit. The look in his eyes when they landed on her was one of lust and gratitude. She liked the way he tempted her to drop the blanket and hop on top of the peninsula. Her sentiments were that they could always eat breakfast later.
“I was hungry this morning, and thought you would be too. Cheese omelet or ham?” asked Noah.
“Cheese. Thank you,” said Amaris as she prepared to dig in.
Noah sat the plate down in front of her. He took a seat himself and dug into his plate, but didn’t say a word otherwise. Amaris was nervous. His silence today was even more daunting than his silence any other time. She’d been daydreaming about their time together last night, and thought he would be doing the same. Instead, Noah seemed to be backpedaling into old habits. Amaris wasn’t having it. They’d just spent a beautiful night together and she wasn’t going to let him withdraw from her this way, not after he’d insisted she not shut him out.
“Is something wrong?” she asked in a timid voice.
She wanted him to say ‘No’ or anything similar to signal they were still okay. She would get neither. Noah didn’t look up. Instead, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. Amaris watched as he shoveled food into his mouth and held his lips in a tight line. Amaris reached across the table and touched his hands. Noah paused, he looked up and his eyes found hers. Amaris decided that no matter how he tried to brush her off, she wouldn’t let him get away with keeping more secrets from her. She was woman enough to handle whatever is going on and didn’t need him to keep her in the dark.
“Noah, what’s going on?” asked Amaris again. She prepared herself to hear anything coming from him. Her voice was firm, because she wanted answers. She wanted him to hear that she wasn’t backing down.
Noah seemed to think a minute, before finally putting his fork down. He wiped his mouth with a nearby napkin and sat up straight. His eyes locked onto hers, and he finally began to explain.
“There’s a leak in the department who’s feeding Jinx information,” said Noah, “it means I have to take even more precautions to keep you safe.”
His voice didn’t waver, but Amaris knew he was concerned.
His words hit her like a wrecking ball and Amaris felt her newly obtained peace crumbing like a condemned building. A leak feeding Jinx information couldn’t be good for her. She couldn’t think of one way that this could end without Jinx injecting more fear into her life.
“What does he know? Does he know I’m with you?” asked Amaris.
She clenched the blanket around her body. If Jinx knew where she was, it would only be a matter of time before he came for her. Her nakedness suddenly made her feel more exposed. She didn’t feel safe sitting near the front windows. She wanted to find a quiet place in the home with no outside access and hide away. The old fear that kept her captive after witnessing the murder soon took its place in her bones again.
“Ris, I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that. I just can’t lose focus anymore,” he said.
He’d come over to her side and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Amaris saw the determination in his eyes. She believed him, but couldn’t stop the helplessness she’d felt weeks from coming over her again. In the midst of her thoughts, something Noah said struck her.
“What do you mean lose focus? Noah, what are you saying?” asked Amaris, her heart racing in her chest.
He couldn’t be serious. He couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he meant. Amaris wanted to shut it all out. There’s no way he could really want to go back to the way they had been after the night they’d shared.
“Amaris, I can’t – we can’t do this. Last night, I was wrong to take advantage of you. Now, I’ve compromised both of us and there’s too much to risk,” said Noah.
Amaris just stared at him. She looked in his eyes and saw the pain that was there from having said the words, but it didn’t matter. In that moment she hated him for being everything she’d hoped he would be with her and still turning his back. She dropped her fork on the table.
“So what are you saying Noah? Just forget about last night?” asked Amaris.
She needed to hear him say it. She wanted him to see what he was doing to her and to know that if he went through with this, she’d never forgive him. Noah opened his mouth, but only exhaled. His eyes were dark, his brow pushed together as he stared at her. Amaris wouldn’t back down. She didn’t want to be swayed by the look of hesitation in his eyes. She was tired of beating a dead horse. If he didn’t want to keep her, she wouldn’t fight him. She wouldn’t let herself fall under his spell one more time. Whatever came out of Noah’s mouth would be the end of it, she would be done.
“Yes, Amaris. Forget about last night,” Noah said.
Thank You for Reading Protected By the Alpha Book 1!
Hi Readers,
Thank you for reading Book 1 of my new serial Protected by the Alpha. Amaris and Noah have been fun characters to create and it has been even more fun developing their love story. Noah is adamant about keeping Amaris safe and is willing to sacrifice their love to remain focus. Amaris is just as adamant that their romance doesn
’t have to suffer because of the danger she is in. There are so many things that they must learn together before a final decision is made. I hope you will stay tuned as their love unfolds with every additional installment.
With Noah pulling away from Amaris in order to properly do his job, it looks like the two are doomed to never be together. Can Amaris convince him that they can have it all? Or will Noah hold on to his decision and shun her from his heart forever?
So much of what I do as a writer is about pleasing you as my reader. The more I hear from you about my work, the more it affirms my belief that I am doing the right thing. Writing is my life and I am glade to share it with you. If you want to leave me feedback you can do so through email. Send your messages to [email protected]. A more direct way you can leave me feedback on Protected by the Alpha or any of my books is by leaving a review. Let me know what you think by reviewing on any of the many platforms you can purchase my book from including Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Goodreads. I can’t wait to hear from you. Talk to you soon.
Joy
Keep up and Keep in touch!
Stay tuned for Book 2 as Amaris and Noah’s story unfolds! Available September 20th!
For other works by Jocelyn:
Wolf Within Serial
Mr. Winters Serial
The Marked One Serial
To Contact Jocelyn:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorJocelynThomas
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jocelynthomas
Protected by the Alpha - Volume 1 Page 10