Guardian of Her Heart (3 page)

“You’re awesome.”

He kissed a trail from her breasts to her belly and left her speechless. He pushed her to an animalistic hunger. She’d never known such feelings before…and she wanted more.

The damp heat of his body merged with hers. His chest hair tickled her nipples. The hard length of his arousal pressed against her belly. Shouldn’t she give him the same release?

He captured her lips and ravaged her mouth with a searing kiss. Tangling her tongue with his, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. She loved the press of his body on top of her and folded her legs around his hips. His kiss made her moan with pleasure.

A noise came from the kitchen. It kept buzzing. Damn, what was that?

Mike broke the kiss. “Is that the timer?”

“Oh…yes.”

“Stay here. I’ll get it.” As he rose to his feet, he slid from the hug of her limbs. He straightened his boxers and jeans as he crossed the room, the heels of his boots ringing against the wood floor.

Melissa remained on her back. She sprawled naked. Instantly, she sat up and reached for her clothing on the rug by the couch. The timer clicked off, and the oven door squeaked open and closed.

“Looks delicious,” Mike called from the kitchen.

Melissa pulled on her panties and dragged on her jeans before he came back and found her still half clothed.

* * * *

Mike stood in the doorway of the kitchen, one hand on each side of the door frame, and stared at Melissa. The wolf in him threatened to destroy his control and take her with no gentleness.

Her tousled hair framed her lovely face. She zipped her jeans, and the motions pushed her lush, naked breasts together, her dusky rose nipples erect and seductive. She hadn’t hooked her bra or buttoned her shirt yet. Driven by the beast within, he wanted her now. He crossed the room, his strides resounding sharply on the floor. He intended to have one more kiss, one more taste of her satin skin, before she served up dinner.

She glanced at him and brought the edges of her shirt together.

“Don’t,” Mike said, his voice a soft rasp.

She bit her lower lip and released the shirt’s edges. “I thought you’d want to eat now.”

She had that right. He wanted to devour her. “It won’t hurt to let it cool a bit. It’s still boiling hot.” In two strides, he reached her, pulled her into his arms, and covered her mouth with his. He tangled his tongue with hers, delving deep as he cupped and stroked one full, warm breast. His cock was still raging and tight. He wanted to take her hard and fast, bury himself deep inside her.

The animal in him wanted to dominate. But the human side wouldn’t take a chance on hurting her or getting her pregnant. Not when she didn’t know what he’d become. Ruthless, feral, half wolf, half human. And if she did know that about him, she’d probably scream and chase him the hell away. Never let him come near her again. But what if she would let him love her?

She was the most giving woman he’d ever known. The kindest, most considerate. Her touch on his bare skin had been pure heaven. When she’d taken his cock in her hand, touching and caressing, he’d thought he’d come right then. The wolf in him wanted to mate with her and keep her by his side for all time.

The human side feared that wasn’t possible.

She moaned as he rubbed his thumb over a firm nipple. He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her soft throat. Releasing her breast, he pushed her shirt and bra strap off her shoulder. He embraced her gently as he pressed kisses along her shoulder. Her sweet scent intoxicated him.

She arched her neck back, her long hair draping like silk over his arm. He licked the dampened skin between her breasts. He loved her taste and could never get enough of her. Her hand rubbed his cock.

Damn.
He was close to losing it. He reached down and unbuttoned his jeans. Opening his shorts, he led her hand to his bare flesh and curled her fingers around his eager cock once again. While she stroked up and down the length of him, he lowered his head to suck her nipples, first one then the other, flicking each peak with the tip of his tongue.

Her quick, short breaths matched his. Tentative, slender fingers delved lower and fondled his balls. Fuck. He was losing control.

“Melissa.” He groaned as he strained to keep the ravaging beast at bay.

“Yes?” she whispered. Her eyes were wide and her lips swollen. She parted them for another kiss.

He’d never felt so tempted. Could he make love to her without hurting her? She was delicate and inexperienced. He needed to be gentle, but could he be? He wanted to make love with Melissa, but he wouldn’t. Not tonight. Maybe never. Kissing her softly, he took a half step back.

It had been a long while since he’d had sex, and not ever with a woman he loved. He’d cared for Melissa for as long as he’d known her. He didn’t want to mess up. He glided his hands up her ribs to her breasts, and she gave a little moan.

Kneeling in front of her, he pressed kisses down her body to her waist and dipped his tongue in her navel. When she chuckled, he looked up to see her smile.

“I think we better eat before dinner is cold,” she said.

He pressed his lips and tongue to her clit through her panties. She gasped, and her fingers squeezed his shoulders.

With a resigned moan, he pressed another kiss to her then rose to his feet. He helped her straighten her clothing. Taking her hips in his hands, he pulled her against his cock. Just one more kiss.

He watched her pleasure-filled gaze as she gently pressed her hands against his chest, moving him back a step. Her eyes darkened even more as she looked him over slowly.

“Would you prefer eating in here or at the kitchen table?” she asked.

Her words taunted him. “Are you on the menu?”

His cell phone rang where he’d left it on the coffee table. He grabbed it up and hit the call button. “Yeah.”

“Hey, Mike,” Derek answered. “Afraid we lost those guys in the streets below Rim. We’ve searched, but that car is nowhere to be found. What do you want us to do?”

“Hell, call it a night,” Mike said, disappointment plain in his voice.

“We have a plan we want to discuss with you,” Derek said. “Call us when you’re free.”

“See you tomorrow.” Mike ended the call and shoved the cell into his jeans pocket. He buttoned up his jeans and turned to Melissa. She’d buttoned her shirt. He slipped his hand around her waist. “Let’s eat.”

“Was that Derek?” she asked.

“Yeah. They lost the car in the streets near downtown.”

She grimaced.

“I’m going to stay here with you tonight. You shouldn’t be alone.”

“Thank you. I’ll feel safer.”

“Good. I’m starving.” As she spooned the lasagna onto the plates, he buttoned his shirt and tucked it in. She handed him a plate filled with the fragrant pasta. He placed it on the kitchen table, held her chair for her, and joined her.

* * * *

Mike awoke to the sound of Melissa’s cries. He lurched up from the bed and remembered she was right beside him. Turning to her, he spoke softly. “Melissa.”

She quieted. “Mike?”

“I’m here.”

She groped for him. Mike put his hand at her waist and pulled her close. As he wrapped an arm around her, she rested her head on his shoulder. Tendrils of her silken hair feathered over his chest.

She groaned. “I had a bad dream about those guys catching me. I couldn’t get away and I ran and ran. Their hands were like claws reaching for me.” She shuddered.

She didn’t realize how close to the truth her dream had come. Mike snuggled her closer. “It was only a bad dream. No one’s going to hurt you. I’ll stay right here with you.”

“I’m afraid to go back to sleep. I don’t want to dream about them again.” Her hand smoothed over his waist and moved upward to stroke his chest.

Already high and engorged, Mike’s cock responded in earnest. She was too much temptation. The damn condom was in his wallet across the room.

“Melissa…”

“Kiss me, Mike. Please, give me something nice to think about.”

He smiled at the sleepy sound of her voice. Turning on his side, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. Her hand smoothed over his shoulder and her fingers slipped through his hair. Her touch enchanted him. He deepened the kiss.

She moaned softly and draped one leg over his. His cock leaped. Her warm scent teased him. If he didn’t get control of this situation, he’d lose it and sink clear to his balls inside her, condom or not.

He gently pushed her down on her back. Placing soft kisses over her face, he brushed his fingers over her breasts. Her nipples firmed as she sighed softly. Her hand on the back of his head urged him closer. Kissing him hard, her lips and tongue sparred with his.

He chuckled softly. She was a tiger when she wanted something.

She broke the kiss. “What’s so funny?”

“You.” He chuckled harder. “When you’re after something, you go for it.”

“I want to make wild love with you. Maybe then I’ll forget the nightmare.”

Mike swallowed hard at the vision she offered
—
wild, reckless lovemaking. His wolf side wanted to break the human bonds of responsibility and thrust deep in her. Fill her with his straining cock over and over until the animalistic need was sated. But the human in him couldn’t let that happen to this gentle creature he protected.

“You’d better sleep. I’m here.”

* * * *

The clock radio blasted Melissa out of her dream. She sat up and took in the rumpled sheets thrown back on the opposite side of the bed. The noise of pots clanging in the cupboards came from the kitchen. Mike must be making breakfast. What a sweetheart.

She rose and headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dressed in her jeans and a cotton, short-sleeved shirt, normal everyday wear for her work at the center.

“Good morning.” She entered the kitchen. Mike’s back was to her as he flipped eggs in the frying pan. Bacon drained on a paper towel. The table was set for two.

“Morning.” He sounded wide awake and ready for the day. “You want orange juice and coffee?”

Melissa inhaled the fragrance of perfectly brewed coffee. “Yes, both. I’ll get them. How about you?”

“Yeah, both.”

She set the glasses on the table and filled a couple mugs with coffee. Placing the coffeepot back on the coffeemaker, she moved closer to Mike to see how the eggs were doing. He wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her close for a quick kiss.

“Did you get some sleep?” he asked.

“Yes, I slept fine.”

He gave her a sexy smile. Turning back to the eggs, he gathered up the frying pan and served the eggs and bacon. She took a seat and he joined her.

They ate in silence. Melissa looked him over while his food held his attention. He looked great in the morning. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could both take the day off?

His cell phone rang.

“Yeah. Just a minute.” Mike looked at her, a question on his face. “Derek wants to know if he and Juan can come talk to us about the guys who attacked you. He wants to discuss our plan of action.”

Although the prospect wasn’t a pleasant one, the problem needed to be taken care of. “Yes, that’s fine.”