Page 19 of Under Kid’s Protection

Kid cocked his head to the side.

“No strings. I don’t expect anything more from you than to…” Her voice trailed off.

He smiled warmly. “Whatever you want,” he repeated softly.

Carrie let out the heavy breath as some of the pressure she’d carried up to this moment left her body. She was about to do this—confidently and securely. She was a woman in possession of her own sexuality today.

“Do you want to go into your room?” he asked. “Away from the window.”

She turned sharply to confirm that she in fact had a window in her living room, as though she hadn’t lived there for several years and purchased the sheer curtains covering it.

Reflexively, she stepped into him. Their bare chests pressed against each other. His arms circled her protectively, and she melted against his warmth.

Safe. Secure. Home. Kid was her sanctuary.

“No one saw you,” he whispered the reassurance. “It’s late.”

She was aware. While she was prepared for him to see her nakedness—anyone else was out of the question. Her days of unabashed exhibitionism were long behind her. She doubted she’d ever make her way back there. A problem for another day. One giant leap at a time.

12

Kid

The two of them shuffled for a few paces before Kid got fed up.

“May I?” he asked. He wasn’t about to do fuck all without her consent.

Carrie nodded.

To clarify, he stooped slightly and hooked one arm beneath her knees. Carefully, he lifted her.

Her eyes widened, she squeaked, and she hugged herself against him.

No fighting against him. She didn’t kick. She allowed him to cradle her. He couldn’t help but grin.

For a woman who had been brutalized as awfully as she had, he appreciated the trust she had in him.

Was it misplaced? Kid had done some terrible shit but not to her. Hopefully, she would always consider him to be a safe space. The honor in this moment wasn’t lost on him.

Closing his eyes, he relished the experience of her holding on to him. He hadn’t carried her like this since the night they discovered her at the Bloody Scorpions’ clubhouse party. She was drugged and out of it. Tonight, she had all her wits about her.

This was infinitely better.

He walked through the doorway of her bedroom and approached her bed. The temptation to kiss her nearly overwhelmed him. What he wouldn’t give to claim her mouth and let loose the passion burning inside him.

Utilizing a restraint he didn’t know he had, he didn’t even so much as place a sheepish peck on her temple. Instead, he lowered her down onto her mattress as though she were made of glass. This wasn’t about his wants and needs. He told her he’d do as she said. That meant not taking any liberties.

Though, he might have already done so by carrying her.

Okay… no more doing stuff without her explicit instructions.

After she’d settled on the bed, she scooted to one side—away from him.

Kid didn’t want to assume, so he stood there, waiting for her next request.

Her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “You’re the boss. Remember? I won’t do anything until you tell me to.”