Sally felt the hand against her cheek and she jumped, opening her eyes, barely seeing who was in front of her touching her cheek. She panicked, and a strong, thick arm held her in place.
“It’s okay, angel, we’re here to take care of you.” Steven caressed a hair from her face.
“What time is it?” she asked. She recalled starting to pack her bags and then beginning to cry. Her head was pounding, and she had decided to lie down and rest for a few minutes. She must have fallen asleep. Steven looked tired, too. His eyes were fierce looking. The hazel seemed darker.
“Is everything okay? I must have dozed off. My head was hurting so badly.” She attempted to move and achiness filled every inch of her.
Steven placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Susanna helped to pack the rest of your things,” he whispered with his hand against her shoulder. He was caressing her, his palm huge compared to her much smaller body. She felt her belly drop. They were agreeing with her that she needed to leave. She was really alone in this. It was her best option to keep her friends safe. She couldn’t help but feel sad. But this was what she wanted. Wasn’t it?
“Come on. I know you’re sore. When we get to the cabin, you can soak in a nice hot Jacuzzi tub. It will do wonders for your aching muscles.” He stood up and offered his hand.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean, cabin?”
“We’ll talk about it downstairs. The SUV is packed. Mason already headed up there with our stuff and to get things ready. It will be okay, Sally. Just take my hand and we’ll do this together.”
She shook her head.
“I won’t put anyone else in danger. I told you I was leaving and I meant alone.” She moved her legs off the side of the bed and when she went to get up, the soreness made her cringe. Steven wrapped his arms around her, drawing her up against his massive body.
He caressed her hair and stared into her eyes.
“You’ve been ordered by the sheriffs of both Cellar County and Delite to be placed in protective custody. You either go with Mason and I as your personal bodyguards, or you’ll be assigned two other men to guard you and that is not an option. Now don’t give me any shit, Sally. I’ve been very lenient in regards to your recalcitrant behavior, but that all stops here. Now, you have five minutes to freshen up.”
She had never seen or heard Steven act so commanding and forceful. This was his military side, his protective mode. She couldn’t help but be turned on by it, but she knew he was doing this out of duty. The others had girlfriends here and responsibilities.
She stared up into his eyes. “You don’t need to do this. You and Mason aren’t obligated for any reason to take this on. I’d like to talk with BJ and see who else is available. Maybe some guys that don’t have—”
He covered her mouth with his own and kissed her. She was shocked as she fisted his shirt, and his tongue delved between her teeth and explored her mouth. His hands caressed her body as he clasped one palm over her ass and pressed her groin against his hard, aroused cock. She gasped, but he kept kissing her, devouring her moans and making her temperature rise to near passing-out levels. She became pliant in his arms and kissed him back, enjoying how this felt and knowing that she felt something deep within her. But then the panicky feeling settled in. She had no clue how to read her instincts, the situation, or men.
He must have sensed her anxiety, because Steven slowly released her lips and kissed along her chin then neck. She tilted her head back, giving him better access to her throat.
He then stared down into her eyes.
“There aren’t any other men going to watch this body but Mason and myself.” He squeezed her ass and stared into her eyes with such intensity and demand that she found herself nodding her head. That seemed to ease his mind as he slowly released her.
“Grab whatever else you might need and let’s get going. Virgo and Dale gave the all-clear ten minutes ago.”
She swallowed hard, learning that so many people were involved with this situation. She just wanted her sister and friends to be safe. That was priority.
As he released her, he whispered. “Your sister is by the door waiting to see you.”
She turned and saw Alexa standing there with tears in her eyes. She hurried to her and they embraced.
“Mason and Steven will protect you, Sally. You need to go with them. You need to be away from this situation and focus and getting stronger. You’re a fighter, remember that.”
“Oh God, Alexa, I just don’t want anything to happen to the rest of you.”
“Don’t worry about us. We’ve got a whole squad of badass military operatives taking care of us. You be safe and you listen to Mason and Steven.”
She pulled from her arms and stared at her sister.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, and I’ll see you soon.”
“How long?” Sally asked.