Page 19 of Protect Me

I haven’t spoken to him since he told me to ditch my necklace because I needed time to think.“I don’t blameyou,” I say.“I’m upset at the circumstances that forced me to have to throw away something that meant a lot to me.”

I lost my mom, and I have plenty of good memories of my mother to warm my heart, but I always felt that the locket connected me to my mom.I am going to have to make do with what I remember and hold those memories close.

Shane faces me, his expression somber.“I know.And I’m sorry.”

I believe him.I sense he understands how difficult that act was for me.I don’t think he made the demand to throw it away lightly.And despite what just happened, and the time that passed since leaving the restaurant, I don’t want to lose the momentum of desire that played out between us earlier.

I don’t break eye contact, wanting to convey the fact that I’m not holding on to my sadness or anger, at least not for tonight.Not with him.And the longer our gazes hold, the more that warm, heated feeling begins to return.

Earlier, I cracked Shane’s protective exterior and reached the hot-blooded man beneath.The academic types I usually date don’t go all caveman, dragging me out of a restaurant, planning to head to the nearest motel for sex.And though it didn’t work out that way, I have to admit, I like the feeling of knowing he wants me as badly as I desire him.

He won’t push me now.Knowing Shane, he’ll assume I need time, and I will have to make the first move.

I reach out and touch his cheek, rubbing my palm against his scruff.“I still want you.”

He lets out a low grumble, grasps my wrist, and places a kiss against my hand.“Let’s get a room,” he says in a gruff voice.

“Yes, let’s.”My heart beats hard in my chest.Harder than when I realized I was alone and on the run and for a much more exciting reason.

He approaches the front desk of the run-down motel, where a sleepy-eyed clerk glances up at us with disinterest.“Yeah?”

“One room, king-size bed,” Shane says, pulling out cash to cover the cost up front.

The guy behind the desk passes the key over the counter.“One-fifteen around back.”

Shane keeps a firm grip on my hand, and despite the awareness thrumming between us, I sense his heightened attention to our surroundings as we park the car behind the motel and walk to our room.

“Looks quiet,” he says, putting the key in the door and ushering us inside.“But I’m not taking any chances this time.”

I toe off my shoes while he immediately locks the door and braces a chair against the knob.

“Good.”I don’t want any interruptions.What I want is Shane’s intense focus on me.

I slide my tongue along my lips and stride over to where he stands, watching me.His eyes glitter with darkened desire and intent.

“You’re sure?”he asks me.

I incline my head.“Need me to grab your ass again?You know I’m big on providing scientific proof.”

“Very cute,” he says with a grin, relaxing now that we are locked in the room.

I’m not sure where my bravery is coming from, but knowing he desires me allows me to feel freer than I have before.The fact that we are on the run means my adrenaline levels have been spiked for days.And the thought of sweaty, hot sex to take the edge off sounds like a glorious idea.Getting a second chance with Shane sounds even better.

He meets me by the side of the bed.Standing close, he looks into my eyes, then removes my glasses, placing them on the nightstand.There is something inherently sexy in that move, and my heart beats so hard in my chest I think I can hear the sound.I figurehecan hear it.

He reaches for the hem of my shirt and pulls it over my head, revealing a plain beige bra.I didn’t buy anything frilly at Target, but he obviously doesn’t care what my underwear looks like, because his eyes glitter with heated passion.

He unhooks the back clasp and slides the garment down my arms, dropping it to the floor.His gaze settles on my bare breasts and tightened nipples.

“Fucking perfect,” he says, eyes darkening at the sight.

My cheeks flush under his scrutiny.I’ve never been the recipient of such a slow, deliberate seduction.He takes his time, not just stripping me out of my clothing but looking his fill.Letting me know he is pleased with what he sees.He deliberately strokes his knuckles over my nipples, and I tremble, the buds beading into hardened peaks, and my panties grow soaked, my body swaying toward his.

He kneels then, pulling my leggings and underwear down together, waiting as I step out of my clothing.“God, you smell good,” he says in a gruff voice.“You want me.”

“I do.”I shake with need, beyond the ability to be embarrassed at his frank words, as I stand bare in front of him.

Rising, he cups my face in his hand and kisses me slowly, gently, his tongue swirling around inside my mouth, parrying with mine.I need his hard, hot body pressing into me, skin to skin, and I lift his shirt, intending to make that happen, but he breaks the kiss, stripping quickly.As eager to get himself naked as I am.