Protecting His Kidnapped Family - Leslie North Page 0,43

to discuss their problems later. Right now, she needed him, needed his hands and his lips and his body more than she needed her next breath.

She reached down and slid her fingers into his hair, just as he circled his thumb around her most sensitive flesh and her whole body went taut, arching beneath him as she climaxed. Wave after wave of pleasure crested over her while Noah nuzzled her through it, not letting her go until she’d floated back down to earth, sleepy and sated. Only then did he kiss his way back up her body to hold himself over her, his face tight with need.

“Inside me. Now,” she said, pulling him down for another kiss as he moved over her, then into her, setting up a steady rhythm that soon had them both near the brink of orgasm. “Yes, Noah,” she moaned, locking her heels behind his lower back and digging her heels into his butt. It had never been like this with anyone else. It would never be the same after he was gone. She needed to hold on to him, hold on to this moment, here and now, for all she was worth. “Please…”

“Please what?” he groaned into her ear. “What do you need, sweetheart?”

“You,” she panted, staring up into his eyes. “Only you.”

“Then you’ve got me.” He kissed her again, changing his angle of penetration to hit that spot inside her that set her off like a rocket, shooting her straight over the edge again.

Noah was only a few thrusts behind her, groaning low into her neck as he came hard within her, holding her close as they both rode out their climaxes.

Afterward, they lay there in the quiet room, entangled in each other’s arms and staring at the ceiling as twilight settled outside. Serena couldn’t help tracing the outline of his tattoo again, remembering the dream of her avenging angel that had sustained her during her captivity. She feared now that it might have been just that. A dream. A fantasy. In real life, getting Noah to open up to her was proving harder than she’d ever imagined—and what she needed from her angel was not just protection but commitment, as well. Commitment Noah didn’t seem to be able to give. He’d shelter her under his wing until she was safe…and then he’d be off to avenge someone else.

He seemed satisfied now just to lie there beside her, holding her and stroking her back, but what about later, after they left the bedroom? Would he shut her out again? Maybe that was the way of it. After all, avenging angels didn’t really have softer sides, did they? Maybe Noah’s tattoo was a symbol of the real him, a persona that he didn’t leave behind at the end of the day.

“Hey,” she said, propping herself up on one elbow to meet his gaze. “I understand about you not wanting me to be a part of your day job.” At his sceptical look, she smiled. “Really, I do. You’re an avenging angel and I can’t be a part of that and that’s okay. I’ll back off on the investigation. Let you do what you do best. I’m so thankful for your help.”

Blinking at her a moment, Noah pulled her down for another kiss before tucking her head under his chin and holding her hand over his heart. “I’m the one who’s thankful. Thankful you’ve decided to let me handle this while you and Gracie stay out of danger.” He sighed. “And I’m sorry you got caught up in all this. My life isn’t easy. Probably why I’ve been alone so long. Maybe why I belong alone.”

“No.” She pressed her palm to his chest. “Not alone. Not anymore. I’ll stay out of your work, but if you think I’m going anywhere on the personal front without a fight, you got another think coming.”

“Serena…” he started, but she put a finger over his lips.

“No. Enough talk for now.” She snuggled down against him again. “Let’s rest while we can. Gracie will be up pretty soon and then we’ll need to eat. Close your eyes and just lie here with me for a bit.”

Noah took a deep breath and stroked her hair, his breath eventually evening out into the patterns of sleep. Serena stayed awake a little longer, just enjoying his warmth and comfort before finally closing her eyes to rest.

19

“Ready on signal,” Noah whispered into his earpiece early the next morning. He was stationed in the hallway outside