Page 137 of Protecting Love

The room was dim, quiet. Private.

He lowered her slowly onto the bed but didn’t pull away. Not fully. His hands remained braced on either side of her, his body hovering just enough to make her feel the promise of weight without the full press of it.

His thumb brushed along her cheek, softer now. Romantic again.

Things she only saw a glimpse of before.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice steady despite the heat in his eyes.

She reached up, sliding her hand along his jaw.

“More than okay.”

And when she pulled him back down to her, it wasn’t impulsive. It was deliberate.

Just like him. Just like he undressed her, then removed his clothing while she watched.

It was all slow. Practiced. A tease of sorts.

Telling her this time would be different. That all the hurdles in her mind, he had no problem jumping over them.

She welcomed him with open arms, him not hesitating to join her. Kiss her. Touch her. Everywhere.

But most of all her heart.

She was falling for this man and it was so damn hard to keep it inside.

He laced their fingers together over her head, his mouth never leaving hers.

“I’m on birth control,” she whispered against his lips. “Are you okay with that?”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

He kissed her again, nudged her knees apart, found her slick heat and slid home.

Their bodies moved together like a slow dance.

Like one that she wanted to go all night long.

And when her body tension built. When she felt as if everything inside of her demanded to break free, Fletcher was right there with her.

Still holding her hands.

Still kissing her.

But this time, this time he had part of her heart.

32

APPROVAL MEANT MORE

The following Thursday Fletcher got the call he was expecting to get.

Actually, he’d expected it last night.

Lorraine was in town for a few days.

Ian had dinner with his mother last night, came home in a mood and slammed his bedroom door shut.