Cocky Protector - Kat Mizera Page 0,2
first kiss to be for me, not them. I don’t know if that makes sense.”
Holy shit. A sweet, smart, sheltered little virgin. I was falling in love right here on the dance floor.
“I’m a little surprised, but it makes total sense.”
“I was embarrassed my father asked you here tonight to be a kind of unofficial date for me, but I’m glad now. You’re not what I was expecting.”
“I had no idea you father had an ulterior motive, but you’re not what I was expecting either. And I’m glad too. Want to get a glass of wine?”
“Absolutely.”
We talked and danced for the next couple of hours. She was the kind of woman who made me wish I wasn’t leaving for the Middle East in a couple of days. My job in intelligence was going to take me all over the world and I was the last guy a girl like her needed. I indulged in a momentary fantasy, though, imagining being the man of her dreams. Because she was special. A delightful breath of fresh air that made me yearn a little. Just a little.
“It’s almost midnight,” she said, bringing me back to the present.
“What happens at midnight? Do you turn into a pumpkin?”
“Mother says nothing good ever happens after midnight, so a lady should take her leave.”
This time I rolled my eyes. “Your mother is a pain in my ass.”
“You have no idea.”
We laughed together, but I grabbed her hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, following me.
“Here.” I’d found a small alcove earlier, when I’d gone to the restroom. It was the perfect spot for us to be alone for a few minutes.
“What are we doing?” she asked breathlessly.
“Nothing,” I said softly, looking into her eyes. “I wanted a moment alone with you to ask for a tiny favor.”
“O-okay.” She looked a little nervous, but my intentions were mostly innocent.
“Can I look at you without your glasses?”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Sure.” She took them off without hesitation and my whole body seemed to tense with arousal. Not the sexual kind, believe it or not, but the kind of excitement you feel when you look into someone’s soul. I’d known her for four damn hours and she made me want things I couldn’t want.
I could pretend, though. For one moment in time, I could pretend I was just a regular guy who wanted to fall in love and live a normal life. A life that didn’t include the CIA and all the dangerous missions in my future.
“Ace?”
“Hmm?” I was so caught up in the blue depths of her eyes, I had to snap back to the present.
“I want it to be you.”
“What?”
“My first kiss. I want it to be you.”
“Shannon.” I put my hand on the side of her face. “I leave for Iraq the day after tomorrow. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” I paused. “If I’ll be back.”
“I knew you were special.” She didn’t seem at all daunted. “A literal knight in shining armor, out to save the world. Just the man for my first kiss.”
“Oh, baby.” I leaned in, one arm circling her waist and drawing her close. She didn’t need to ask me twice. I wanted to kiss her more than I wanted to breathe, and when my lips touched hers, it was more blissful than any other kiss ever. Her mouth opened under my guidance and I slid my tongue against hers easily, slowly, savoring the taste of her. She was exquisite, and when I deepened the kiss, she was right there with me.
I kept it gentle, regret twisting through my gut as I realized this was the one and only time I’d ever touch her. Damn, I wanted more and she did too. The little whimper that escaped her made me so hard it hurt.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, drawing back. My forehead was pressed to hers, our bodies close together. “In another time and place…”
“It’s okay.” She smiled, that sweet, guileless smile that reached right into my heart and wrapped itself around it. “You made one of my dreams come true. I’ll cherish this always.”
“Shannon! Shannon, are you out here?” Her mother’s voice made us jump.
We shrunk into the shadows, biting back laughter as her mother blew right past us, oblivious.
“Be safe, Ace.” She pressed her fingers to her lips and then put them against mine.
I leaned into the warmth of her skin. “Thank you, sweetheart. Be well and stay true to yourself. I’ll keep this memory right here.” I touched my fist