Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three (13 page)

“Yeah, that’s a good point. One time would never be enough for you and seeing me would make it difficult to stay away,” he states. I want to punch him in the junk for being such a cocky ass, but I’m getting what I want, so I’ll let it go. Well…almost.

“I’m glad you understand. Besides, I already have someone in mind to help me take care of my little problem. So, after tonight, I promise there will be no more feelings coming from me,” I tell him. Quickly, I grab my purse and leave him standing there with his mouth gaping and nostrils flaring. I’ve managed to both shock and piss him off at the same time. I know staying away from him his the right thing to do. He has the power to destroy me completely, and I get the feeling I might hold the power to do the same to him.

M
Y MOUTH
hangs open in disbelief as I watch her walk away. Did she really just fucking tell me she has someone in mind to take care of her problem? So, in other words, she has someone in mind to fuck the horny out of her system. Before I can control the emotions flooding through me, I’m hurling my fist into the wall. A sharp, stinging pain radiates through my hand and up my arm.

“FUCK!” I roar in pain. Who is it? She doesn’t know anyone outside of my friends. It can’t be Marcus. He wouldn’t do that to Taryn. That leaves Kyle and Angel. If I were to guess, I’d say it’s Angel. So help me, I’ll kill that motherfucker if he lays a finger on Holly.
Holy shit!
Am I actually jealous of the fact that someone else will be with her? A strong wave of nausea to hits me. I’ve never been jealous before. Of course I’m attracted to Holly, who wouldn’t be? But that’s all it is. Completely physical. Nothing more.

“Yeah keep telling yourself that, douchebag. You know you have feelings for her, you just refuse to admit it.” Kyle sits down across from me and nods to the huge fist-shaped hole in the wall. “And you will be paying for that.”

“Whatever. Take it out of my check and mind your own damn business,” I growl as I get up and make my way to the door.

“You aren’t your father, Paul. You are nothing like him. You’d never hurt a woman --- especially one you loved.”

“You don’t know a fucking thing. And who said anything about love?”

“Just don’t let something epic slip through your fingers because you’re a stubborn douche. Now, go home and put some ice on that hand. It’s gonna hurt like a bitch in the morning.” Kyle laughs as he locks the door behind me. Asshole. I know he’s right about letting her slip away, but it still doesn’t change anything. I can’t be with her. It’s for her own good.

When I pull into the parking lot of the apartment building, the nausea returns full force. Just thinking that Angel or some other guy is in there with her right now makes me want to hurl. Quickly, I get out of the car. I need a drink to calm myself before I do something stupid. Walking into my apartment and straight to the liquor cabinet, I grab a bottle of whiskey. I twist off the cap and guzzle right from the bottle, welcoming the burn. I bring the bottle with me to my room and set it on the nightstand. After pulling off my shirt, boots, and socks, I turn out the light and sit in my bed. I take another drink from my bottle. Before I can swallow it, I hear a noise from next door that causes me to spit a mouthful of whiskey everywhere. “Please don’t let that be what I think it is.” I forgot how thin these walls are. Kyle had the apartment next door before he had the one above the bar finished. I could hear every little moan from the women he brought home. I used to think it was funny back then. It’s anything but funny right now. I have to know who she’s with, even if it kills me…or him.

I scoot closer to the wall and rest my ear against it, trying to hear what’s going on. There aren’t any voices, but I can hear Holly breathing heavily. Another pleasurable moan slips from her lips, leaving me as hard as stone. How I wish I were the one making her moan like that. The moans get louder and the panting heavier. I know she’s getting close. I know she’s in there with another guy, but hearing her and imagining being with her has me so turned on, I can’t help myself.

I slide my hand down my chest to the button of my jeans. As soon as I have my cock in my hand, something hits the wall right where my ear is resting. I jump back, my heart beating a mile a minute.
Shit!
That scared the hell out of me. Quickly, I put my ear back to the wall. I hear Holly cursing like a sailor. Something’s definitely pissed her off. Did this guy do something to her? I’ll kill him. It’s then when I realize I haven’t yet heard any voice other than Holly’s. Relief washes over me. Maybe there isn’t anyone in there with her after all. Then, it’s confirmed. “Fucking batteries. Always going dead just when you need them. That’s what I get for not finding the real thing,” Holly shouts from her room. Obviously, she has no idea just how thin these walls are. She’s about to find out. I pull my phone from my back pocket and begin to type a text message.

Our walls are pretty thin, doll face. Why don’t you let me come over and finish what that battery operated imposter couldn’t?

I hit send and wait. If I can have sex with women I don’t know, why couldn’t I handle a purely sexual relationship with a woman I kinda like? So, maybe I more than kinda like her, but I can still keep the feelings out of it. When I hear the ding from my phone telling me she’s responded, my heart drops to my stomach, worried over what her response might be.

Are you out of your fucking mind! You embarrass the hell out of me and then invite yourself over to fuck me?

I wasn’t even thinking that I might embarrass her.
Shit!
I’m an idiot. Quickly, I try to type a reply that will remove my foot from my mouth.

You have nothing to be embarrassed about. That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever heard. You had me so hard, I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands. If you know what I mean ;)

Again, I sit here anxiously waiting for her reply. I feel like a teenager again, trying to get the hot girl in school to talk to me. God, this woman twists me in knots, but in a good way. I put my ear up to the wall. I can hear footsteps on the hardwood floor, as if she’s pacing back and forth. After about five minutes pass with no response, I can no longer wait. Jumping up from my bed, I take another gulp of whiskey for courage. Stopping in my bathroom, I brush my teeth and use some mouthwash to get rid of the whiskey breath. I’m nowhere near drunk and I don’t want Holly thinking I am because she can smell it on me. Once I’m sure the evidence of my liquid courage is gone, I make my way to Holly’s door. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart. I don’t want to startle her, so I type out a message on my phone.

Open your front door.

I can hear her giggle when she receives my text. Within a few minutes, I can hear the clicks of her many locks being unlocked. Slowly, the door opens and my jaw hits the floor. Her long, silky legs are on display, thanks to the very short flannel shorts she’s wearing. As my eyes travel up past her flat stomach, I feel myself begin to strain against my zipper. Her tits look perfect in the tight tank top she’s wearing. The hottest part is how she’s looking at me. Her eyes scan every inch of me, as if she is starving and I’m a feast set in front of her. I’ve never had anyone look at me the way she is. And when she licks her lips, I just about blow in my jeans. Getting myself under control, I step closer to her. Her face instantly flushes and her breathing becomes faster.

“Are you gonna let me in, doll face?” I ask as I lazily run my finger from her shoulder down her arm. Goose bumps form all over her body from the contact. I love how the littlest touch or softest words cause her body to react.

“If you think I’m letting you in here just so you can fuck me you are sadly mistaken,” she says, her voice shaky. She’s just as turned on as I am, but she’s nervous. I’m getting the feeling she has only been with one guy, maybe two at the most. She’s not the type of girl who sleeps around. For the first time in my life, I’m ashamed of how many women I’ve slept with. Right now, is about her, though. I’m not here for me and I need her to know that.

“I never said anything about fucking you. I said I would give you what that toy couldn’t. There are several ways to accomplish that without fucking you. Can I at least come in to talk about it? I’ll tell you what I have in mind and you can decide if you’re up for it. I would never do anything you don’t want me to. If you tell me to leave, I’m gone.” She eyes me carefully, considering my offer. She steps back and opens the door, allowing me to step inside. I walk past her and it takes every ounce of will power I have not to take her in my arms and show her how turned on I am. I can’t do that though, as much as I want to. She’s nervous, maybe even a little scared. I have to be very careful with her. Move very slowly. Make her see she can trust me. That I would never hurt her. Someone has really done a number on her and if I’m ever face to face with the bastard, he’ll be sorry. I sit on the couch and wait for her to sit next to me. When she sits, she makes sure there’s an appropriate amount of space between us.

“Neither of us is in a place where we want a relationship, but we both have needs and wants, right?” I pause to make sure she’s with me so far. When she nods her head yes, I continue. “I won’t lie. I’m attracted to you, more than I’ve ever been to any other woman. I get the feeling you’re attracted to me as well.” Again, she nods yes. “We’re both adults who know what we want and what we don’t. Since we’re attracted to each other, why not meet each other’s needs and wants together? And before you ask, no, this isn’t something I’ve ever done before.” She looks surprised.

“If you’ve never done this before, why now? Why with me?” she questions. And a damn good question it is. How do I answer that when I really don’t know myself? I can only be honest. It’s what she deserves. If she punches me in the face and thinks I’m a dick, so be it.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. There’s something about you that makes me want to be around you. No matter how hard I try to stay away, I can’t. The thought of another man with you makes my blood boil. Which is another new thing for me.” She smiles a shy smile and inches a little closer to me. I can tell she wants to say something, but she’s choosing her words carefully.

“Can you tell me what turned you against relationships?” she asks as she stares at her lap. Clearly, she’s afraid I’ll be upset with her for asking that question. Knowing she’s feeling even an ounce of fear pains me.

“To my surprise, I do want to tell you about my past. I also want to hear about yours, but not tonight. Tonight is all about you. I want you to see that you can trust me. My intention was to come over here and bury my head between your legs until you begged me to stop.” Her face flushes. It’s cute that she’s embarrassed by my boldness, but I also notice her squeeze her legs tightly together. The idea obviously turns her on as much as it does me. “But I don’t think we’re ready for that just yet. Instead, I’ll spend the night and hold you while you sleep. This way, you can see how safe you are in my arms,” I state. I watch her eyes bug out and her mouth fall open, but she snaps out of it quickly. When she stands up and starts to walk away, I get a little worried. What if she tells me to fuck off? I never really thought that was a possibility.

“You invited yourself, so I know it’s not an invitation you’re waiting for,” she says as she glances at me over her shoulder. “Oh, and lock the door on your way.” Then she disappears into her bedroom. That smart mouth of hers has me wishing I followed through with my original plan. I have a feeling this might be more difficult than I thought.

After locking up, I walk into the bedroom. Deciding to leave my jeans on, I turn off the light and climb into the bed next to her. Immediately, she snuggles up to me. Her head resting on my chest allows me to breathe in the fruity scent of her shampoo. Her arm wraps tightly around my waist as she lays her leg over mine. I wrap both of my arms securely around her and she lets out a contented sigh. This feels so much better than I imagined, but it also scares the living shit out of me. I swore I’d never allow myself to fall for a woman. Looks like I had no choice in that matter.