Page 33 of Under Kid’s Protection

Her chuckle bubbled up and escaped her lips at the absurdity. Kid peered at her wearing an expression of confusion. Oh no. Had she made him feel bad? She didn’t want to do that.

Covering her mouth with one hand, she waved the other when the amusement wouldn’t stop.

The corners of his mouth rose. His smile spread across his face as she continued to giggle uncontrollably. Eventually, he joined her. The room filled with belly-shaking laughter.

Relief washed over her, calming every one of her nerves. Dropping into the chair with tears in her eyes, she finally exhaled. “That felt good.”

Kid nodded. “Sure did.”

“That wasn’t how I wanted last night to go,” she admitted.

“Me either.” He hung his head. “I shouldn’t have—”

“No,” she interrupted.

His head snapped up as his gaze met hers.

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But what happened at the Knucklehead…” He gestured around as though they were at the bar.

She got to her feet and closed the distance between them. She took hold of his hands.

Whatever words he was about to say died on his lips. Instead, he peered down at her with remorse all over his features.

She had to fix that. There was no reason for him to blame himself. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I asked you to do something. You did it.”

She released her hold on him and reached up. Her palm rested against the stubble of his jaw. Usually, he was clean-shaven. Had he left his razor in her bathroom? She hadn’t noticed because his stuff in her apartment had become natural.

That might be a good sign. If he left things in her apartment, he must’ve intended to return. Hope blossomed in her chest, warming her body. Which only flourished when he closed his eyes and nuzzled into her hand.

“You are wonderful,” she whispered. “I don’t want it to end.”

What did she mean by “it”?

A problem for another day.

“Me either,” he murmured.

Well, at least, they agreed to “it.” Whatever the hell that was.

When he lifted his lids, and his hazel irises locked on her, her throat went dry. The longing in his gaze matched her own. She craved him so deep in her soul it should frighten her. She found strength in their mutual desire—in him.

Kid was the reason Carrie continued to breathe. His presence, his protection, got her through her darkest hours. This man cared about her in a way no one ever had before.

“Kiss me,” she ordered. The words had left her lips before she could think about them.

Without hesitation, he stooped slightly, wrapped his arms around her waist, and slammed his mouth against hers.

Red-hot passion singed her as she tilted her head, welcoming him hungrily. At first, she rested her hands on his forearms. With each second that passed, and the longer their tongues danced, the hotter her need for him burned. She dug her fingernails into his flesh.

Carefully, he stepped forward, forcing her backward. Without breaking their embrace, they walked until her ass hit the edge of something. He gripped her ass cheeks and lifted her onto the desk. She parted her thighs wide, allowing him between them.

His hands roved up her sides, over her back, and into her hair. Her clothing burned. She wanted it off. She wrapped her legs around him and hooked her ankles, and her sex pressed against the hardness of his erection.

Pausing briefly, he pulled away. “Are you okay?”

“Don’t stop,” she panted.