The delighted grin that curled my lips would not go away.

"You should wear a jacket," I admonished, although I was grateful for the excuse to hold her.

"Five or more layers are typical for me in the classroom, but I prefer to leave the coat at home when I go out for drinks. I really don't want to misplace it. It's not a big deal for me because I usually just hop in and out of an Uber. "

Without actually saying it, I often found myself wishing she wore dresses that fit a little more snugly. That she didn't put on any extra layers was fine with me.

We made it to my car, a black Telas that I had purchased in cash from a less reputable dealer and was now badly damaged. I didn't want my identity to be linked to that purchase. Since I'd moved to Havard, every action on my part had been deliberate and meant to conceal my true identity.

As cautious as I could have been, I had been. No one was likely to come across me. Emily was in no real danger. And if the extremely unlikely event of danger occurring, I could still defend her.

When she snuggled up to me even more, her unwavering confidence in me made my heart swell. It felt damn good to unleash my violent instincts to protect rather than punish when I defended her from that creep in the bar. In particular, when Emily looked at me with her big blue eyes, as if I were some sort of fuckhero.

The longer I was in her presence, the more convinced I became that I was entitled to her. In order for me to claim her as mine.

Despite my threats, the jerk who touched her might not back off now. If I were there to protect her, it would be best.

As I opened the passenger door and helped her slide into the seat, my resolve hardened. To avoid abruptly ending our physical contact, I leaned in to fasten her seatbelt, keeping my hands on hers for a few extra seconds beyond what was strictly necessary.

She insisted, "I can get it," but her chest tightened.

With a smug grin on my face, I said, "You could." She hadn't pushed away my advances, and her objections had been breathy with ardor.

In all likelihood, I would receive a goodnight kiss.

"Are you sure you're all right?" When I first got behind the wheel, I questioned. I cast a quick glance in her direction to gauge her. Her beautiful eyes glistened like gems in the reflected streetlight.

"What? Um, yeah. Yes,. No, I'm good.

Stun. For weeks, I'd been aware of the scumbag's crush on Emily. I had noticed that he leaned in close to her and kept a watchful eye on her. I didn't like it, but she wasn't mine to begin with. Since I had no right to her, I could do nothing to prevent other men from flirting with her.

Things changed, however, the moment his hands touched her. The rage I'd been suppressing, the primal urges I'd fought so hard to overcome, had erupted in a blaze of fury. It had taken every ounce of self-control I could muster to keep from smashing my fist into his pretty-boy face.

She simply said "thanks" in response. When she covered mine with her delicate hand, I felt a sense of security. There was no need to come to my defense like that.

"I did that, yes." There was no way I could have stood by and allowed him to touch her. Their relationship couldn't work because she was too innocent to be tainted by him.

My palm brushed against hers, and I interlaced my fingers. Her hand was much smaller than mine, but it still fit snugly in my protective clasp.

"What's your home adress? "

"Those are the Every Apartments. Thanks."

"You shouldn't feel obligated to thank me every time something goes right. Yes, I'm more than happy to help out. "

"Oh. Sorry."

My mouth twitched slightly at the corner. Really, she just oozed cuteness. " And you shouldn't feel obligated to apologize, either. "

Her grip tightened in mine, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. I had seen her many times from across the bar, and every time a boy approached her, she would stiffen and start playing nervously with her fingernails.

I didn't want to make her uncomfortable because I wasn't a boy.

At least not in that sense.

I could barely keep my fingers gentle on hers as the old fantasy of Emily shivering under my touch flashed through my mind.

"To calm down, " I said. "I promise to keep you safe. "

I could tell tension was leaving her body because I heard her take a deep breath. Although it was only a short drive to her apartment, I held onto her hand the entire way there. The car was silent, but not awkwardly so; the air was thick with sensual tension, and I didn't dare break it with a stupid question.

Not to mention, I was hoping she wouldn't pry too deeply into my personal affairs. My new life required that I keep my troubled past a secret, even from her.

The long weeks of denial only served to heighten the intensity of the physical attraction I felt for her. Possibly I could have gotten over her if we had shared a quick fuck the night I first saw her. In any case, I looked up to her as a role model. I had elevated her to more than just a pretty face in my head. She represented everything that I wanted out of life but knew I lacked the ability to achieve or the merit to deserve.

What I've been craving for so long would be mine to enjoy tonight.

I pulled up in front of her building and got out to help her with the car door. By the time I reached her, she had already gotten one foot in front of the other, but I still took her hand as if she were still unable to stand on her own.

When I closed the car door behind her, she did not remove her hand from mine.

"I'll show you to your door." I planned to kiss her good-bye after I saw her into her apartment safely.

Her eyes widened and she licked her full, pink lips as she looked up at me. In response to the obvious signal of lust, my cock throbbed.

"Okay," she said., "This way."

She set off down the street toward the front porches of the upscale townhouses, which were paved in brick. I stayed at her side, walking on, still clutching her hand.

When we got to the building, she got her keys out of her purse and we entered one of the ten identical apartments. Before she could unlock the door, I gently squeezed her fingers to get her undivided attention again. Her blue eyes locked with mine, and she sighed a little through her parted lips.

"I appreciate you bringing me back. It was unnecessary for you to-"

I cut her off to say, "Yes, I did." That was the only option available to me at the time. Stun never touched her once. I certainly couldn't have finished out my shift behind the bar. All I would have been able to focus on is branding her with my touch, washing away the stain from where he'd grabbed her.

I couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke her cheek, enjoying the feel of her smooth skin. She didn't recoil from the physical proximity; rather, she turned her face toward my palm, inviting more. I hooked my thumb under her chin and slid my fingers into her dark silky hair to ensnare her. The sound of her gentle breath hit my cock squarely, and I drew nearer with a growl of hunger.

Taking her lips wasn't something I did with the gentleness she deserved. By pressing my lips against hers, I elicited a startled gasp that allowed me to gain access to her mouth.

She was unfazed by my unexpected hostility. Her arms coiled around the nape of my neck, and she pressed her supple body against mine to draw me in.

The fire of lust swept through me with a ferocity I'd never felt before. So that I could get a better look inside her mouth, I tightened my grip on her hair and tipped her head back.

My tongue swept inside to glide against hers. She tasted like the fruity cocktail she'd sipped at the bar and something darker, more delicious. Her body melted into mine, softening and heating as she molded herself against me.

I wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. She shivered in my hold, but it wasn't the chilly night air that elicited the response. The heat between us was too intense for the cold to touch either of us.

When we were both desperate for air, I finally released her mouth. She stared up at me, breathing hard. Her pupils were dilated, the sapphire ring of her irises narrowing as her eyes darkened with lust.

"Do you want to come inside?" she asked breathlessly.

I nodded.

She turned from me and fumbled at the doorknob, her hand trembling from the keen desire that tormented us both. I reached around her and closed my fingers over hers, firmly turning the knob and pushing the door open. Now that I'd held her in my arms, I couldn't wait to feel her lush body pressed up against mine again.

When I closed the door behind us, she took my hand in hers and led me toward her bedroom. I hadn't expected such boldness from her, but the raw need that drove both of us to a frenzy was stronger than the anxiety I'd sensed in her earlier.

I was curious to check out the way she chose to decorate her room-to understand her personality better. But in that moment, I was far more curious to learn other things about her. Like the sounds she'd make when I kissed her neck and caressed her breasts.

I leaned in to take her lips again, but she pulled back slightly. In the dim lighting that illuminated the bedroom through the shades, I could see that she'd lowered her lashes in shyness.

"I, um, I don't want to have sex. Not tonight," she said quietly. "I don't want to give you the wrong impression."

I wasn't surprised by it at all, despite the fact that hearing it made my balls hurt like hell. It turned out that my assumption that Emily was a virgin was correct. She was not the type to invite a total stranger into her home and have sexual relations with him. I'd never come across a woman who wasn't eager to get into bed with me, and I never expected to. My fascination with her only increased as a result of the chase and the challenge.

I lifted her face to mine and curled two fingers underneath her chin.

I concurred and said, "No sex."

" I wouldn't have expected anything more than a quick peck on the cheek before bed. I am grateful that you have placed your faith in me and allowed me to join you. "

I quickly took another picture of her lips before her timidity could return. Her little groan caused my cock to quiver, and I like the way the small sound vibrated on my tongue as I stroked into her mouth as she was moaning. Never letting go of her, I proceeded toward the silhouette of her bed in the shadows and assisted her in rolling over onto her back. I shifted my weight so that it was directly over hers, yearning to feel her frail body pressed up against mine.

I could tell by the momentary stiffening of her body that she was probably feeling dominated or constrained.

Once again, my cock twitched, but I managed to draw my lips away from hers in order to comfort her.

I made a commitment to her that "I am not going to do anything that you are not comfortable with." "All you have to do is speak the word if you want me to stop or even leave. "

I wanted to have power over her and to have her grovel and mutter my name in submission. However, I would never violate a woman who did not want to be violated, and I would never expose Emily to the worse dreams that I have.

She indicated that she wanted me to continue by licking her soft lips and giving me a little nod before continuing.

Without giving it any thought, I said, "Good girl." It seemed appropriate to praise her in this manner, to direct and urge her to let the more sensuous aspect of herself out, and it felt good to do so.

I moved in close and kissed her on the neck in that little hollow that lies just below her ear. She heaved a sigh and shook her head. I delighted in licking her delicate skin, savoring her delicious taste and taking pleasure in each gasping breath that she took.

She leaned forward until her breasts were pressed on my chest, and her sharp fingernails were biting into the back of my neck. She then arched up into me. She coaxed me into closer proximity while subtly pleading for more.

I let out a roar and then bit her on the shoulder. She cried out in a hushed voice. In spite of the yearning that was evoked by the music, I restrained myself. I tried to leave a mark on her with my teeth, but I was unable to. I wouldn't want my bite to leave a mark on the flawless smoothness of her skin.

I couldn't wait to feel all of her curves, so I reached in between us and caressed one of her breasts. I could feel her bare nipple through her clothing, which led me to the conclusion that she wasn't even wearing a bra. I let out a low sigh into her lips, savoring the curves and softness of her voluptuous body. Her groan blended in with the sound of pleasure I was experiencing, and she pressed her chest against mine.

I did that kind of play with her for a considerable amount of time, knowing her body and the pleasurable cues she gave out. While I tormented her and tasted her, she writhed and groaned under me and clung to me for dear life as I did so. I was curious about all there was to know about her. If I were to touch her in that area, I was curious to find out how warm and velvety smooth her pussy would feel. I was able to almost smell her yearning, and I could tell that she was both moist and receptive.

Not tonight, I vowed to myself, not tonight. I'd given her my word that there wouldn't be any sexual pressure from me. I would live up to the faith that she had placed in me.

"Please," she pleaded with a grunt in her throat. "Please, Nicola." She was looking for stimulation, so she rubbed her hips on my thigh.

The way in which her raspy voice caressed my name as she pleaded with me to touch her was enough to break some of my willpower.