Protector: Doms of Mountain Bend Book 1 by BJ Wane (good books to read for 12 year olds .txt) 📕

“Don’t apologize for letting go, Lisa.” Holding her face up, he subjected her to a close scrutiny before nodding, apparently satisfied with whatever he saw. “Excellent. Get ready for me to release your arms.”

She knew what he meant and held her breath for the tingling of blood rushing downward, eliciting tiny pinpricks as he lowered her hands to her sides. Releasing her breath on a whoosh, she fell against him with one more shudder. He held her without words, giving her time to get herself together. When she was tempted to linger, she pulled away, ready to leave and sort through the night’s revelations by herself.

“Thank you, Master Shawn, but I really must get going now.”

Shoving her hands aside as she reached to button her top, his closed face didn’t reveal a clue as to his thoughts. “Next time, you’ll do better for me. I’ll walk you out after you put my number in your phone so you can get hold of me if you have trouble driving home.”

Lisa wanted to argue about his confident assertion and assumption there would be a next time, but that would only delay her departure, and the sooner she got her head on straight about where to go from here with him, the better.

Shawn didn’t want her to take off without seeking more answers, but he was learning to read her accurately, and her shuttered expression and tight jaw meant he’d pushed her enough tonight. Handing her her bra, he clasped her elbow and led her into the foyer.

  “Tell me we haven’t met before,” he demanded, using his sternest Dom voice as they stepped outside. She tried to draw back, but he refused to loosen his hold. In a perverse way, he got a kick out of watching the wheels turn behind those emerald eyes as she whipped her head up, floundering over what to say.

Her attractive, smooth face hardened, and regret kicked him in the gut one second before she answered, “If you’re so sure we’ve met before, when you come up with when or where, tell me, and we’ll both be enlightened. I’m parked at the very end.”

Shawn waited until he’d seen the last of Lisa’s taillights before returning inside, chafing from unappeased curiosity and an engorged cock. He could still hear her whimpering cry upon climax, the way it had rung with a variety of pent-up emotions despite the signals it wasn’t exactly a mind-blowing orgasm. The needy glaze still lingering in her eyes raised his protective instincts along with his lust. There was no denying he wanted the petite schoolteacher, or the fact she was hiding something, and he wondered if it was the reason she’d accepted a temporary, out-of-state job.

Dakota swiveled on the barstool as he approached, eyeing him with a raised dark brow as he took the seat next to him. “Did a newbie rub you wrong?”

“Why?”

“Because the look on your face is one I’m usually accused of, and I don’t like the competition.”

Shawn grinned, his tense muscles relaxing as he lifted a finger to their bartender, Ben, for a beer. It was always good to see Dakota’s rare sense of humor make an appearance.

“Yeah, but not in the way you’re thinking. She wasn’t new to the lifestyle but not real experienced, either. I put a dent in some block holding her back, but not much, and only physically. The girl has secrets that are bugging me.” Not to mention that nagging sense of having met her somewhere before.

Dakota shrugged and took a long pull of his brew before replying, “Next time, push her harder.”

“That’s your style, not mine. And you drive away more than you hang on to, so I think I’ll muddle my way past her defenses my way. Thanks, Ben.” Shawn nodded to the Parks and Wildlife ranger whose only concession to indoor work was the two weekend nights he tended bar here at Spurs.

“Suit yourself, but my way is easier, and less taxing.”

Ben smirked, having heard enough to get the gist of their conversation. “Your size alone intimidates even the not-so-timid ones, let alone that cold shoulder you like to fake subs out with.”

“Look at that. Ben’s got your number already, and he’s only known you a fraction of the time Clayton and I have.” Shawn gave Ben a thumbs up, ignoring Dakota’s scowl as he stood.

“Bite me, both of you.”

Dakota stalked off, but Shawn knew he wasn’t pissed. His friend could take it as well as he dished it out. “I guess I better circulate and make sure all our new guests are taken care of, unless you want a break.”

“No, I’m good. I’ll take time to play once I send out the last call, but thanks.” Ben lifted a hand as he turned to stroll to the waiting customers at the other end of the bar.

Shawn had lost his appetite to socialize or seek another partner to scene with, but he slid off the stool and forced himself to fulfill his obligation to his friends and now partners in this venue. He, Clayton, and Dakota hadn’t let each other down in the twenty years since they’d met. He wouldn’t start now just because a woman had managed to get under his skin for the first time.

Chapter Four

Paradise Valley, Arizona

“Did you find her?”

Bruce Pomeroy bristled with resentment as his father gave him his standard greeting the minute he walked in the door. “No, not yet,” he replied tersely, frustrated with his search and the fact he’d lost track of the little bitch when he’d been so close to ridding himself of her pesky presence on Earth.

The old man’s shoulders drooped, and he spun his wheelchair around on the marble entry floor. “Bring me a whiskey, will you, Son?”

Of course, Dad, anything to make you happy. He held