Page 42 of Ruthless Protector

She gasped against my ear.

“I don’t believe you,” I said, giving her ass another squeeze.

“Well, that’s too bad,” she said, lifting her head. “I’m not really sure what you want me to say?”

“The truth,” I said.

She stared at me, head tilting to the side slightly. “And what makes you think you have the right to get that from me?” Her thumb slid along my jaw, my beard, as she said that. There was no anger in her voice. I didn’t know what this was, but I didn’t like it. “I have things under control. I don’t need you to save me.” She gave me another of those drugging kisses, then lifted her head again. “I want you to fuck me, Jude. It’s been a while for me, and I have a feeling you’d give it to me the way I like it, but other than that, you need to take a step back.”

My brows lowered. I’d never suffered from such an extreme mix of horny and furious in my life. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. I want you to back off. Thanks for tonight, I appreciate what you did. You saved my ass and we both know it. I’ll be more careful from now on, but I told you, I’m not in the market for a white knight. You’re applying for a position that doesn’t exist.” She did another sexy roll of her hips. “So, either fuck me, or get back on your bike and leave.”

We stared at each other for long seconds, and I knew I wasn’t doing a great job of hiding my shock; I could see it in her eyes. “You’re serious?” I said finally.

She dipped her stubborn chin. “I wouldn’t say it unless I was.”

“You’re making a mistake, Willa.”

Her hands dropped to my shoulders. “That’s your opinion, which means it has nothing to do with me.”

Christ. “Willa…”

“Put me down,” she said, voice even, emotionless. “Now.”

Reluctantly, I did what she asked. “I think you’re afraid of something, of someone…”

“You’re wrong,” she said, taking a step back, putting more distance between us.

I cursed, fought to keep calm. “I know what that kind of fear looks like, Willa, I know it better than I ever wanted to. I know what secrets and that kind of terror can do, the wreckage it can cause. I don’t want to see you get hurt. I don’t want to see another…” I cleared my throat, swallowing down the words I’d almost said. “You can trust me.”

She crossed her arms. “I want you to leave.”

Fuck.

I didn’t want to go anywhere, but what else could I do? You could pick her up, carry her to her bed, and work that tight little body until she begs you to make her come, bounce her on your cock until she spills all her secrets. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea. I took a step toward her and her eyes widened, her throat working.

“Jude?”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m choosing option one.” I’d lost my mind, but there was no way in hell I was walking away—from whatever trouble she was in, from her—not yet.

“Option one?”

“You said I should either fuck you, or leave. I choose fucking.”

Her eyes widened, tongue darting out to moisten her lips.

“Come here,” I said, desperately trying to hang on to my control.

She took an unsteady step toward me…

“Willa, that you out there?”

We both turned at the sound of Fay’s voice, her words cutting through the night, through the crackling tension.

Fay stood on her porch, Tilly at her side.

I turned back to Willa and made sure she saw the truth in my eyes.