Thankfully, when my mom shows up, Annie is ready to go. She reminds me three times to tell Sasha that she said goodbye. I don’t miss the beaming smile that my mom has every time Annie mentions Sasha. Mom wants me to settle down, and I’m sure she sees Sasha as an opportunity to make that happen. And since I’ve never brought a woman to eat dinner with my family before, I’m sure Mom sees it as a sign that things are getting serious between us.
Of course, the angry claiming fuck, and the things I made her say to me, was far more telling regarding the seriousness of our relationship. But I won’t be sharing any of that with my mom.
That memory from last night will be burned into my mind forever. Sasha’s fine ass in the air, marked red from my palm, her defiant mouth turning me on even as she flares my temper. The feel of her clenching around my bare cock. Fucking hell, I haven’t had sex without a condom in a long-ass time. I’m usually so careful, especially after the Annie surprise. But the need to claim Sasha as my own was too overwhelming. We should probably have a conversation about that. Because it’s absolutely going to happen again.
Like a horny teen, I’m adjusting myself when a knock sounds on the front door. As always, Eric is right on time.
At six foot three, he’s about my height. But the dude’s built for intimidation. I’m no slouch in the muscle department but Eric is stacked. He’s not quite Angelo sized, but no one is. Dressed in black tactical pants, black boots, and a black polo, he looks exactly like what he is. A giant bodyguard. The point isn’t for him to be hiding in the shadows. The point is for him to be seen. Sasha isn’t bait, and we don’t want Randal to think of her as an easy target.
“Sir.” Eric greets me with a head nod.
Eric is always strictly professional, and I’m betting that it will drive Sasha crazy.
As if summoned by my thought, Sasha appears. I’m glad my back is to Eric because the sight of her has my dick twitching again. Sasha strolls down the hallway towards me like a goddamn wet dream. Her hair, still damp from my shower, is pulled back into a loose braid. She’s wearing a dark green dress that makes her hazel eyes shine even from across the room. She’s barefoot, and that detail alone has me clenching my teeth. She looks so at home here. So right. And without shoes, she’s even smaller. Even tinier compared to me. That difference makes me feel even more protective.
Suddenly, as if thrust underwater, my throat closes. An uncomfortable emotion rolls through my body and even though it makes me want to curl in on myself, I can’t pull my eyes away from her. Her. My Sasha. My mind flashes to finding her yesterday, shaking in the corner. I can still feel her huddled against my chest, shaking with fear. Her tears staining my shirt. Silently sobbing into my arms. That uneasy emotion grows inside me, until it fills every inch of my soul. It’s hot. And familiar. And feels too intimate to acknowledge right now.
Her eyes meet mine and a soft smile curls her lips. Warm and welcoming but a little bit timid.
I could have lost her. I came so fucking close to losing her. It could have all been over, just like that.
I don’t think, I just walk to her. Grabbing her face in my hands, I hold her still while I bring my mouth to hers. Her muscles tense for one heartbeat, before she leans into my touch, meeting my kiss. Matching my passion.
Wanting more. Needing more. I pull our bodies flush. Her warmth soothing my roiling soul. With a swipe of my tongue, she’s opening to me. A soft moan leaving her throat. Her hands clawing at my chest. And somehow her need for me has me calming. Knowing that she’s just as deep in this as I am, comforts me.
I pull back, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Liking her off guard, I smile. “Sasha, I’d like to introduce you to Eric.”
Her eyes widen and she tries to step back. I don’t let her. This didn’t start as a power flex, but I need to make it crystal fucking clear to Eric how much this woman means to me. He’s been with me long enough to know that my inner circle is the most important thing in the world to me. And Sasha is a part of that inner circle now.
I turn us so we’re facing Eric together. “Eric, this is Sasha. Protect her with your life.”
