Page 73 of Promise of Punishment

“Why are you frowning?” He lowers his hands from my face, his expression filled with concern.

New tears form in my eyes. I wipe them away and stare at the blue blanket pulled up to my waist. “I don’t know if I should say this… but after the accident and what you told me about our past… I still thought about running away. I wasn’t sure about you.”

“I know.” He crosses his arms, but his tone is soft.

“You knew?” I ask, shocked.

“That’s why I gave you space. It killed me to do it, but you needed it.”

Another giggle escapes me at the irony. “Part of why I thought that is because you weren’t… touching me.”

That sexy spark shines in his eyes again.

“What?”

“I’m glad I broke my promise and gave in to my urges to touch you. I swore I wouldn’t until you brought up the topic. But it’s hard when you’re lying next to me like a dream with your dark hair all over the pillow and your honey skin tempting me to touch it. My cock has been craving you for weeks. If it were up to me, I’d climb in this ridiculously small bed and have my way with you right now.”

My body heats. “And if a nurse were to walk in?”

“My bare arse would give her the show of a lifetime.”

I crack up, my bruised ribs barely giving me any pain.

“Now that’s a smile I’ve missed seeing.”

It’s the worst time to sober up and confess this, but the emotion crashes into me like that truck did, making me vulnerable. I put my hand over my belly. “I’m scared.”

He sits on the edge of the bed and takes my hand, kissing it. “That’s okay. We’ll figure it out together.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

His bluebell eyes hold mine, confidence radiating within. It’s a turn on, knowing he’s certain about this when I’m not. I need his strength and want him. Desire burns through my veins as quickly as striking a match. I don’t question it or fight it. I don’t want to. “Lock the door.”

A wicked grin curls the corner of his lips. “You want to play doctor and patient?”

“I want to play with your cock,” I say, boldly.

His eyes widen with a hungry gleam. “You’re a naughty angel.”

I fling the blanket off and move my leg with the cast. “Do you think this will be a problem?” My ankle doesn’t hurt, but it might get in the way.

“Not at all.”

“What are you waiting for then? Lock the door.”

He darts away and returns in a heartbeat, his shirt already on the floor. His muscular chest, roped abs, and chiseled hip bones have me drenched instantly. I yank my gown off and toss it aside, bearing my breasts to him. His gaze goes to my beaded nipples, and he licks his lips.

“Lie back.” He presses the button on the remote to lower the head of the bed. It buzzes and flattens as he strips out of his shoes and pants.

His muscles flex beneath the smooth skin of his god-like body, his cock engorged and ready as he climbs onto the bed and hovers above me on all fours. He kisses my lips, teasing me with his tongue. My core floods even more, if possible. I moan and send my fingers into his silky hair, pulling the ends.

Wes kisses a path to my breasts, sucking my nipples greedily until I’m writhing, and then lowers to my belly. He tucks his bangs behind one ear, long lashes flicking up as his blue gaze catches mine, and kisses the space that holds our baby.

Tears brim my eyes at the tenderness. This man and our baby are my future. I have someone who will never abandon or hurt me. Who will literally kill to protect me. I might have saved Wes in that garden, but he rescued me from a tragic life filled with heartache and loss and gave me his love. I don’t fully understand how he can love someone as broken as me and with so little to offer, but I don’t want to ever lose it.

As if he knows my train of thought, he says, “You’re mine, Fable. Mine to protect. To cherish. To love forever.” He kisses my belly again. “All you have to do is let me.”