Chapter 8

The kiss I place on her lips is quick, and when I pull back, she blinks in surprise. I wasn't planning on doing it, but after everything that went down with her father, I had to. Standing there and not being able to look at her, touch her, or comfort her was awful, but it had to be done. I needed to convince him that he could let the both of them go without causing a scene.

I was willing to fight my way out of there, but I wasn't willing to put either of them in the crosshairs. Now that I've got them here in a safe location, I can get to work on untangling the both of them from that monster.

"Come on, let me show you around the place."

Marco has already gone inside, but I show Kelly a few things in the garage before we walk through the rest of it. She doesn't say much as I show her the kitchen and living room and spare bedrooms. The condo is spacious and completely private, and although this isn't my main house, I've spent some time here.

"There's a private bedroom and bathroom with a game area in the basement if you think Marco would be okay down there?.

"Yeah, I think he'd love that actually." She gives me a small smile, and I can see she's hesitant to touch anything.

"The primary is on this level and another smaller room upstairs, but that's mostly for storage. Feel free to look through whatever is up there and take what you need."

"Thank you." She wraps her arms around herself, and for a second, I think she might cry.

"Hey." I reach out with both hands, and I'm glad when she takes a step toward me instead of away. "It's going to be okay. You understand? I'm going to keep you and your brother safe."

"It sounds crazy, but it's like I'm afraid to believe you."

"That doesn't sound crazy at all. Give it some time."

She puts her head against my chest, and I kiss the top of it as I fold her into me. She's so skittish, but as soon as she melts against me, I can feel her muscles unclenching.

"You got anything to eat around here?" Marco asks, and Kelly laughs.

I take my time releasing her before I smile over at him. "I've got some stuff in the freezer. How about bagel bites?"

"Now you're talking," Marco jokes, and we all go into the kitchen.

Once I heat up some snacks and find drinks in the pantry. I make a list of what Kelly and Marco need. I'm planning on running out for food and clothes while Kelly talks with Marco's school. She said he can submit all of his work online and won't need to go back in person right away.

Marco and Kelly share a few looks when I talk about long-term plans, and I hate that they've been through so much. I know that with the kind of lifestyle they've lived, seeing is believing. They will have to see my actions of protecting them before they will believe they are safe, and that's okay. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure they never doubt that again.

"I need to make some calls while I'm out," I tell Kelly while I get ready to leave. "You remember how to set the alarm?" When she nods, I take her hand and pull her out to the garage with me. "You're safe here. All the windows are mirrored so people can't see in, and the locks are reinforced. You guys make yourselves at home, and I'll be back soon, okay?"

"I don't know how to thank you."

My body moves closer to hers so she has to lean back to look up at me. "You don't have to do anything to thank me." I graze the tips of my fingers over her chin and across her jaw. "All I want to do is make sure you never have to be afraid again."

"I've been too afraid to imagine what that's like." She grins, and I bend down closer.

"Maybe it's time you start imagining more than not being afraid." My lips brush against hers, and I feel her breath hitch. "Maybe it's time you started imagining what it's like to be happy."

This time when our lips touch, I don't hesitate to deepen it. My hands go to her hips, and I pull her tight against me. My tongue slides against hers, and she moans into my mouth while I taste her sweetness. Her lips are full and soft, and I groan as her fingers grip my hair. She's pulling me closer and before I know what's happening I've got my hands on her ass and I'm lifting her off her feet.

Without thinking, I'm pushing her against the wall of the garage and forcing her legs open wider to make room for my bulk. The throbbing in my pants is making its demands, and I grind against her soft heat to get some sort of relief. It's no use because no matter how hard I keep grinding, I want more. The kiss, the need, the passion is so intense, and it's unlike anything I've ever felt.

I'm not sure how long we're like this, but when I hear Marco calling for Kelly in the distance, I come back to reality.

We're both breathing heavily as she looks up at me through her lashes. Her lips are swollen and pink, and her cheeks are a little red from my stubble. My eyes travel down her body as I lower her to the floor, and I see her nipples are hard and poking against her shirt. Fuck, what I wouldn't give to suck them into my mouth until she came.

"Kelly?" Marco says when the garage door opens.

"Be right there. Just, um, saying goodbye to Luke." Kelly blinks a few times and then takes a deep breath.

"Oh, can you add Gatorade to the list?" Marco says, and I raise my chin.

"You got it."

"Thanks, man." He goes back inside, and if he suspected anything was going on, clearly it didn't seem to bother him.

"I'll be back soon," I tell her and tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. Then I bend down and give her another not-so-quick kiss goodbye. Of course I want more, but if I'm going to get anything done, I need to control myself.

"Don't take too long," she says quietly, and I see the shy grin on her lips before she runs back inside.

Damn, I'm in trouble. I should be totally focused on what I need to do next, but instead, all I can think about is getting her into bed.

Maybe there's time for both.