Page 43 of Louisiana Protector

She didn’t have to ask him twice. He grabbed the sides of the panties and, as she raised her hips to aid him, he pulled them down her legs and off her. He then took his boxers off, and they were gloriously naked with each other.

Once again, he ran a hand slowly down the length of her, right to the very core of her.

She gasped as his fingers began to dance against her sensitive skin, creating a wild tension inside of her. She clung to his broad shoulders as his fingers increased their rhythm. The tension inside her twisted tighter and tighter, bringing her closer and closer to a climax.

Her breaths came out as panting moans, and then she was there as the tension exploded, shattering her with wave after wave of exquisite pleasure.

She was left boneless and gasping, but her inertia only lasted a moment, and then she wanted more…and more. She reached down and grasped his velvety soft hardness in her hand. His eyes narrowed as a groan left his lips.

She continued to stroke him several more times until, with another groan, he pushed her hand away. He reached across the blanket and picked up a condom she hadn’t noticed. He ripped the package open and pulled out the protection.

She took it from him and slowly rolled it onto his hard length. Rolled over on her back, she opened her legs to receive him as he moved between her thighs.

She was grateful he’d thought about protection. The last thing they needed to add to their complicated relationship was another baby.

As he began to enter her, once again she clung to his shoulders with sweet anticipation. She’d been thinking about this for five long years…remembering and still wanting him.

Another gasp released from her as he possessed her completely and then slowly began to stroke in and out of her. The rush of pleasure that shot through her veins stole her breath away.

She moved her hips to meet his every thrust, heightening the intense desire that dashed through her. He quickened his strokes, and another groan issued from him.

Her desire spiraled, tightening the tension inside her as it had before. It climbed higher and higher until finally it released as another climax shuddered through her.

At the same time he found his own release, stiffening against her with another deep groan.

For several long moments they remained locked together as they waited for their breathing to return to normal. She loved being in his arms, completely satisfied and close to purring with pleasure. Finally, she reluctantly stirred from her position.

They redressed, and he pulled her back into his arms for a tender kiss.

“It was as magical, as amazing as I remembered,” he said when the kiss ended.

“I agree,” she replied softly. “Making love with you was always magical.”

His gaze held hers, and in the blue depths she saw his love for her shining out. God help her, but she loved him, too.

However, she still wasn’t ready to embrace him fully back into her life. He was everything she’d ever want as a man for her and as a father for Danny. Except she still didn’t trust him fully. She’d trusted him enough to make love to him and to spend time with him, but she didn’t trust him enough to fully embrace him back into her life, or tell him that Danny was his. The stakes just felt too high. If he left again, it wouldn’t be just her he’d be leaving, but it would be Danny as well. No, she still couldn’t trust him fully and she didn’t know what it would take to change that.

But until it did, she would keep him on the outside looking in.

THEY DRANK ANOTHER glass of wine and talked about their past, laughing as they shared memories about the time they had once spent together as a couple. They moved on to what their lives were right now.

She shared her fear for what the next move might be from the man who had slammed his fist into her jaw. He told her all he would do to protect her from any further harm.

The conversation lightened as they bantered about local politics, who served the best food in town and a dozen other topics that were fun and nonthreatening. After another hour or so had passed, she indicated it was time for her to head home.

While it was obvious their physical relationship was as hot as it had been years before, she hadn’t told him she loved him. She’d given him no indication that this evening had put him any closer to being firmly back in her life.

“What do you want to do with everything that’s here?” she asked as they prepared to go.

“Just leave it. Once I get you home safe and sound, I’ll come back and pack everything up,” he replied. He reached across the blanket and grabbed his holster and gun.

“I didn’t know you had a gun,” she said.

“I’ve had it for a couple of years. You can’t live in Texas and not own a gun,” he replied with a grin as he put the holster on. “From now on, I’ll wear it whenever you’re out in the swamp with me. I swear, nobody is going to hurt you again while I’m around.”

He saw the dark shadow that fell over her features. “I really wish I knew who it was,” she said and raised a hand to the fading bruise on her jaw.

“So do I.” As always when he thought of some man smashing his fist into her beautiful face, a rage rose up inside him. It was a rage that had no place to go. He definitely wished he knew who was responsible for the attack and her pain. “Are you ready for the trek back?”