His Lover to Protect - Katee Robert Page 0,24

forcing her head back so she had to look at him. “You flashed a little extra ass at them on purpose, didn’t you?”

Her hazel eyes were defiant. “Even bent over at the waist to tie my boots once or twice.”

The thought of those nameless men staring at her perfect ass—at any of her—made Luke see red. A rational part of his mind pointed out that she was likely just goading him, the same way she had with the soccer players, which gave him pause for half a second before a wicked thought occurred. Two can play that game. “You want to give some stranger a show?”

He cast a quick look around the cliff, but everyone else had cleared out, leaving them alone. Satisfied there was no one else here to see, he reached up and pushed one strap of her dress off her shoulder. The wet fabric clung to her breast, and so he was forced to give it another tug. The white bra was soaked through, revealing a clear outline of her nipple, but he didn’t give in to the temptation to suck her there. Instead, he met her gaze as he pulled the lace down to bare her. “We can do that.”

Her chest rose and fell with each harsh breath, and she arched her back, pressing her breast into his hand. “There you go again—all talk and no walk.”

“You can push all you want. I’m doing this in my own time.”

“And if I say no?”

He stopped his meandering path up her side and met her gaze. “Are you saying no?”

She licked her lips, and her body shook as a shiver overtook her. He wished he could chalk it up to lust, but the ugly truth was they were standing outside in cold rain and she wasn’t even close to properly dressed. He’d have to be some kind of dick to push her when there was a very real risk of hypothermia if they didn’t get moving and to shelter. Cursing, Luke pulled her bra up and fixed her dress. Then he made himself let go of her and step back. Strangely enough, that was even more difficult than covering up the nipple begging for his mouth.

Alexis frowned. “I didn’t say no. Hell, I’m half a second away from screaming yes, yes, yes. Who’s getting cold feet now?”

“Both of us.” He motioned at the sky. “If you still want it, I’m more than happy to spend a few hours warming you up with my mouth—but not until we get off this godforsaken cliff. Where are you staying?”

She seemed to consider not answering, but then she let out a shuddering breath. “The lodge in Jørpeland. I took the bus here.”

“It’s your lucky day, then. I rented a car.” He’d driven in from Stavanger since he had no idea where she was. At least she was closer.

“My lucky day? That remains to be seen.” Without another word, she marched off in the direction of the path.

All Luke really wanted to do was sit down and rest his damn knee, but he followed her anyway. He’d lived through worse pain, with a shittier end result. Alexis, in bed again. Even as he struggled down the boulders, keeping an eye on her in case she got cocky and fell as a result, he couldn’t help wondering if this was one hell of a mistake.

One night could be called a moment of insanity, brought on by adrenaline, snarky commentary, and a convenient bar brawl. Once he’d kissed her and she’d thrown down her challenge, the end result was all but written on the wall. To do it a second time… That was damn near premeditated. He was supposed to be protecting her, not bending her in half and fucking her into submission.

Though that was a thought. Maybe if he kept her exhausted from constant sex, she’d be too drained to take off without him again.

Luke shook his head, breathing hard as he dropped off the last boulder and to the relatively flat ground. It was only the first in a long descent, but he felt as if he’d really accomplished something. Then Alexis glanced back, a small line between her brows. “Are you okay? We can stop for a few minutes if you need it.”

She thought he was weak. Weak enough that she was offering him an easy out. There wasn’t exactly pity on her face, but the compassion was only a step away. He’d seen it too many times over the last couple