Page 24 of Rebel Protector

She’d started this, sure, but the way he’d been looking at her—like she was the cream on top of his favorite dessert—had set something off inside her. Shewantedto be that cream.

Her heart pounded as she clutched at his smooth, hard shoulders. Ever since he’d thrown himself over her in the marketplace, shielding her from the blast, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. Was that wrong?

Maybe it was some primal need to feel protected, or maybe it was just because it had been so damn long since she’d been touched by a man. Either way, she wasn’t pulling back now.

She opened her mouth, inviting him in, and let out a low moan as their tongues met. He didn’t just kiss—heclaimedher, tasted her, and she felt it all the way down to her toes. Her whole body responded, letting him explore her mouth so intimately it almost felt indecent.

Delicious. Irresistible.

She clung to him, fingers digging into his shoulders as his rock-solid chest pressed against hers, his hands gripping herwaist like he couldn’t let go. The aggression in his kiss, mixed with a tenderness that took her breath away, lit her up inside.

He smelled good, too—like sun and sea, with a faint trace of beer on his breath. Needing more, she stretched up on her tiptoes, hands winding around his neck, feeling the tickle of his hair against her arms.

More.

She pressed herself against him, not giving a damn what he thought.

Dom matched her intensity, stepping forward and pinning her against the wall. They were all over each other, and Becca was grateful for the cool slats at her back, because every inch of her was burning where his hard, ripped body crushed against hers. She held on tight, legs barely holding her up.

Then his hands moved, cupping her ass, lifting her, and sending a shockwave straight through her core. She gasped as the solid length of him pressed into her.

Sweet baby cheeses.

Pinned between him and the wall, she could feel his heartbeat pounding against her—or maybe that was hers. It didn’t matter. They were pressed together, moving as one, their need tangled up in a messy, hungry knot.

There was nothing gentlemanly about him now. His stubble scraped her chin as he devoured her, and his thigh slipped between her legs, forcing them apart. Her body betrayed her, grinding against him, a groan escaping her lips as she tangled her fingers in his thick hair.

He was breathing hard, his hips moving slow and deliberate against her, his hands gripping her ass tighter, pulling her closer.

Oh, God. She was a trembling, slick mess, barely holding it together. It was a miracle she didn’t fall apart right there. Justwhen she thought she might lose it completely, he broke away, gasping for breath.

“Dom,” she whispered, staring at him, her mind still spinning.

What thehelljust happened?

He slowly let her down, her back sliding against the wall until her feet found the ground again. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, and his eyes were dark with something raw, something that made her feel like she was standing on the edge of a cliff.

“Becca, I…” He didn’t finish.

No words needed.

“I know.” She breathed out, trying to steady herself, running a shaky hand through her hair. She was still buzzing with adrenaline, with need—hell, withshock. That was more intense than anything she’d ever felt before.

Dom shut his eyes, like he was cutting himself off. “You’d better go before you’re missed.”

She swallowed hard, reaching for the door, her pulse still racing. He was right. She needed to go, but not because she was worried about being missed. She needed to leave because if she didn’t, she wasn’t sure she’d ever find the strength to walk out.

But Dom didn’t try to stop her as she slipped out the door and stumbled down the stairs into the clearing.

Run,the voice in her head screamed.Run while you still can.

Refusing to look back, she quickened her pace, breaking into a full sprint down the overgrown path toward the house.

Becca was still shakingby the time she got back. Running into Carlos hadn’t helped. He’d been standing by the pool, watching the terrace, and had seen her emerge from the path leading to Dom’s cabin.

“It’s late for a walk,” he said, his eyes sweeping over her, taking in her messy appearance.

“I like it when it’s cooler,” she replied, struggling to keep her voice even.