Page 15 of Protect Me
“And three months from now?” My tone is harsher than I meant, but if we don’t push her to open up to us, then there’s no eliminating the threat. Which means, when she has to leave—I swallow hard, fear for what comes next smothering my ability to finish the thought.
“I’ll worry about it then. Who knows, maybe the floor will have forgotten me by then.”
“Men do not forget about women like you,” I say.
Her gaze whips to mine. “Men?”
“We both know what kind of floor you’re referring to, so at least, cut the shit on that front.”
Helen swallows hard, and I worry I’ve pushed her too far. But she closes her eyes and breathes deeply then opens them and stares at me. “My name is not Helen.”
“You don’t say?” I feign surprise, and to my complete delight, she smiles.
“I’m not a great liar.”
“That might be the first true thing you’ve said since I walked in here.”
Another smile.
I reach for the tea, pulling the ball of herbs out before dunking it back in a few more times. Then, I offer her the mug and take a seat on the edge of the bed versus the backward chair I imagine is there because of Killian. Fucker’s a rebel even in the way he sits in a damned chair.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She puckers her lips and blows softly, and my cock hardens at the mental image of her on her knees. Lips puckered as she—
“My real name is Sway,” she says, interrupting my thoughts.
“Sway,” I repeat, her name like a whispered plea for deliverance from my own darkness.
“Yes.”
“It’s nice to officially meet you.”
Sway takes a sip then groans. “That’s perfect on my sore throat.”
Fuck me, this woman is perfection.
“I imagine you’ll be telling your brothers?” Her question jolts me back to the present. “Though, I have to say, you don’t at all look like each other. Aside from the hair color at least.”
“We don’t have secrets,” I tell her. “So, yes, I’ll tell them, mostly because it helps us protect you. And we’re not brothers by blood though we are a pride.”
“You’re all lion shifters, then? Killian told me that’s what he was,” she adds quickly as if she’s worried I’ll care.
“We are.”
She takes another drink then clings to the mug. The blanket dips a bit further down, and I avert my gaze before I lose it and beg for her to let me show her how a real man treasures a woman. I could be gentle—at first.
Though, it wouldn’t be just me she’s having, and I can’t speak for the others.
Duncan? Sure. He’d be tender in the beginning. But Killian? He’s always a wildcard.
“Lion shifters.” She sighs, her tone becoming more relaxed with each passing moment, thanks to the herbs in her cup. “I bet you guys are growly.”
I grin. “You don’t know the half of it.”
She peers at me through a half-opened eyelid. “Who’s the growliest? It’s not Killian—he’s too open and playful for that. And I can’t say it would be Duncan either because he seems rather—refined.”