His to Protect: Book 1 in the Bound to Him Series Page 5

  I had just met Zeke the night before, and now he was introducing me to his friends. It seemed odd, but after the several intimate and awkward moments that we had already had, this didn’t really seem that unusual after all. Besides, I was enjoying being in his arms.

  Weird. I wondered where that thought had come from. I mean, sure, for the few hours that I had known him, he had carried me for quite a lot of them. Glancing up at him, his eyes met mine. Those gorgeous blue eyes seemed to be studying me, and I noticed the long lashes that seemed way too pretty for a man, but wow! They were perfect on him.

  My eyes betrayed me and landed on his lips. Kissable lips. I almost groaned at my wayward thoughts and ended up just closing my eyes and gulping. I heard his chuckle and felt the heat flood my cheeks.

  This man was getting to me in a way that no other man had before, and I hadn’t even known him for twenty-four hours! Maybe I had hit my head harder than I thought when I fell.

  I finally opened my eyes and turned away from Zeke’s face. Looking at my surroundings kept me occupied. This place was enormous! We exited the bedroom and walked down a short hallway that led to a large, two-story, open entryway. Across from us was a large formal living area.

  Zeke turned left at the entryway and walked into the largest kitchen that I had ever seen. The room was open and airy, and it joined with a living room on the far side to the right. Only part of that room could be seen as it stretched out around the corner and out of sight.

  An alcove on the far side of the kitchen held a dining table with six chairs. The alcove was all windows that filled the place with natural light, and my eyes immediately went to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. It was amazing. What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a view like that every day.

  The living room I could tell was huge, even though I could not see all of it around the corner. I could tell there was easily enough furniture to seat eight or ten people, possibly more. The colors of all the rooms were earth tones, and the furniture was all inviting. Modern, but not too much so. It fit the space and the landscape that I could see out the windows.

  We entered the living room, and I noticed a man sitting on one of the couches. I had not been able to see him until we rounded the corner from the kitchen. He looked to be about the same age as Ezekiel, so I figured around thirty. The man stood when we entered the room, and Ezekiel walked towards him, setting me down on the couch the man had just vacated.

  “Brady, meet Chelsea,” Ezekiel said to the man. I held out my hand and we shook. The man was easily the same height as Ezekiel and just as broad and muscular. His hand swallowed mine when we shook. With the two of them in the room, I suddenly felt small.

  “Zeke told me that you hurt your ankle in a rockslide on the mountain. I’m glad to see that you are okay,” Brady said to me, and I could tell that he was being sincere. Ezekiel pushed an ottoman in front of me and lifted my leg, placing my swollen foot on top. I saw Brady lift an eyebrow as he watched Zeke, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Yes, if Zeke hadn’t shown up when he did, who knows where I’d be right now. Probably still trying to crawl down the mountain on my hands and knees. That is not an experience that I would care to repeat in the near future,” I told him with a teasing grin.

  “Well, obviously you are doing okay if you still have a sense of humor after that,” he said with an amused expression. I chuckled.

  “Brady, have you had breakfast yet?” Zeke asked him and he replied that he had not. “Well then, keep Chelsea company for me and I’ll go fix something,” he said, and headed out of the room. He disappeared around the corner and into the kitchen.

  Chapter 6

  Zeke was officially the only person who I knew here in Tucson, but sitting on a couch in his living room having a conversation with one of his good friends was a little awkward. Especially considering that Zeke wasn’t even in the room.

  “Zeke says that you are here on vacation?” Brady asked me and I nodded.

  “Yeah, not a very good first day, huh?” I replied, and he flashed me a smile.

  “Just day one? And how long are you staying?” he asked next.

  “I go back home on the seventeenth. Two weeks here, but I have a feeling that I won’t be seeing much now thanks to this ankle. I’ll probably have to find some crutches somewhere, and I won’t be able to drive. Whenever I get my rental car back, I guess I should just have the company come pick it up,” I told him, suddenly feeling depressed at that thought.

  Maybe the resort had a shuttle that could take me somewhere. I really did not want to be stuck in my room alone for two full weeks.

  “Well, your car is outside. Zeke called me last night and asked if I would help him find it. We picked it up already and brought it back here. If you want to go ahead and call the rental company, you can have them pick it up here. Zeke will be more than happy to give you a ride back to wherever you are staying,” he told me.

  He seemed confident in what he said, and I wondered how long he and Zeke had known each other. I wondered if maybe I should ask Zeke first about a ride, but considering the two of them had brought my car back here while I had been sleeping, I figured he would be okay with it. He was definitely a nice guy.

  I leaned back against the couch and felt some of the tension of the last twenty-four hours dissipate. Having my car situation settled was a relief for sure. Grabbing my phone, I called the rental car company. Brady gave me the address here and they said they would pick it up later this afternoon. I would leave the keys in the glove box.

  It was just a few minutes later that Zeke walked back into the room carrying two plates. He handed me one and then sat down beside me on the couch with the second plate in his hands.

  “Brady, you’ve got two good feet and I only have two hands. You can fix your own plate,” he said with a grin. Brady stood from the chair and gave Zeke a playful punch on the arm and left the room.

  “Brady said that you might give me a ride back to the resort where I’m staying. I hate to ask for any more favors from you, but I obviously can’t drive. The rental company is picking up the car here this afternoon,” I told him hesitantly.

  “Of course. That’s not a problem. What resort are you staying at?” he asked, and I gave him the name of the resort.

  “I guess I’m going to be a shut-in for the next two weeks. Maybe I can find some crutches somewhere. At least then, I can get around my room and possibly see some of the resort,” I replied, once again feeling my disappointment at my sudden change of plans.

  “There’s no reason that you can’t still see Tucson. I can make a pretty good tour guide if you are interested,” he surprised me by saying, but he seemed sincere.

  My first reaction was, there was nothing more that I would like than to spend the next two weeks with Zeke showing me around. However, he had done quite a lot for me already, and I was hesitant to impede on his hospitality any longer. My fall was not his fault, and I did not want him to feel responsible for me. He spoke up before I could even form a reply.

  “I can see the wheels spinning, so let me just butt in. You have no transportation, you are visiting my city, which I love, and I would be doing this wonderful city a great disservice if I let you leave here without seeing at least some of the sights. With that being said, will you do me the honor of letting me show you Tucson?” he asked with an adorable smile on his face.

  I felt my heart skip a beat at the intensity of the expression on his face. Wow, what this man did to me! There I was again, drowning in the depths of his piercing blue eyes. I had to force myself to take a deep breath before speaking.

  “Well, since you put it so eloquently, I would be a fool to resist,” I replied with a chuckle.

  The flutters in my chest returned, and I took a quick bite of the scrambled eggs on my plate before he could see the effect that he was having on me. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to survive two full weeks with Zeke. Jessica might get her wish after all because my pussy just got
wet thinking about it.

  Just then, Brady joined us with a plate in his hand and sat down in the chair across from us once again, and I was grateful for the distraction from my thoughts. Zeke and I both turned our attention to our food, and I hoped that he had not noticed the color in my cheeks.

  “Did you have any specific things that you wanted to see while you are here?” Zeke asked me a few moments later. I was glad that I had my emotions under control. Swallowing the food in my mouth, I raised my eyes and looked up at him.

  “Well, I have to admit, the majority of things that I had in mind won’t be possible now until this ankle is healed. I had wanted to see Sabino Canyon, the botanical gardens, Saguaro National Park. I wanted to see the nature, and I had been hoping to do a lot of hiking while I was here,” I replied softly. Unfortunately, that was definitely not going to happen with me on a pair of crutches.

  I saw a look pass between the two men, but I had no idea what it meant. Instead of trying to decipher it, I kept my attention on the food in my lap. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was perfect for me.

  There was a lot of conversation while we ate. The guys told me about their security company and some of the celebrities they had provided security for. I told them about my work in marketing. They were both really nice guys, and personable, but I kept stealing glances at Zeke. Something about him just pulled me in, and it wasn’t only his eyes.

  It was just a couple hours later that I heard what sounded like a doorbell chime. Zeke excused himself and disappeared around the corner. A few minutes later he returned to the living room, carrying a pair of crutches. My jaw dropped open in surprise.

  “These are for you,” he said as he approached. I was speechless.

  He reached for my hand and helped me up from the couch and onto my good foot. Once he adjusted the crutches to my height, he helped me slip them under my arms.

  “I really don’t mind carrying you, but I figured this would be better for going to the bathroom,” he said with a grin. I could not help laughing again as I thought about him carrying me to the bathroom earlier that morning.

  “I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Again. These will definitely make things a little easier. How did you manage to get them so quickly?” I asked him.

  “A magician never reveals his secrets,” he said on a chuckle. I just smiled back at him. He held my gaze for several long moments, and I just could not look away. Brady’s voice broke into my thoughts.

  “Well, I’m going to head back home now. Let me know if you need anything else,” he said to Zeke. Then he held out his hand to me.

  “It was really good to meet you, Chelsea. Maybe I will see you again before you head back to Kansas City,” he said to me. I shook his outstretched hand.

  “Thank you for your help with my car. It was good to meet you as well,” I replied honestly.

  Zeke walked with him to the door, and I sat back down on the couch and laid the crutches next to me. I could hear the two men’s voices, but I could not tell what was being said. Then I heard the front door open and close, and Zeke walked back into the room and sat down beside me.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked softly. His expression was so sincere, and I knew that he was truly concerned.

  “The ankle still stings a bit, but I’m much better than last night. I know I keep saying it, but honestly, I don’t think I can say it enough. You probably saved my life, and ‘thanks’ just doesn’t seem to cover it,” I told him. He reached over and took my hand in his.

  “I accept your thanks, and like I said, I’m glad I was there as well,” he replied. Then he turned quiet, but he did not release my hand. It seemed that he had something else on his mind, and I waited to see if he would say something.

  “I am actually looking forward to spending some time with you,” he surprised me by saying. “I’ve already admitted that I think you are a beautiful woman, but more than that, I’ve sensed your honesty and kind heart. If nothing else, I can at least keep you company so that you aren’t stuck in your resort room,” he continued. I had to smile at that.

  “I think hanging out with you would definitely be better than being stuck alone in my room,” I replied with a chuckle. His expression turned to one of mock offense.

  “I hope you aren’t just accepting the better of two evils,” he joked, and I laughed.

  “Can I be honest?” I asked him, turning serious once again.

  “Didn’t I just say that I appreciate your honesty?” he said with a grin, pulling another smile from me.

  “This is going to sound corny,” I said softly, dropping my eyes to our joined hands.

  “That never stopped anyone from saying the truth before,” he said tenderly. Then he reached up and lifted my chin, turning my head until our eyes met again.

  “It just…I feel like there’s some kind of connection between us. I…I can’t describe it because I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like I’ve known you for a long time, like we met in another life. It’s odd, and you probably think I’m nuts now. I have a bad habit of saying exactly what’s on my mind. I’ll understand if you want to take me back now,” I said quietly.

  I pulled my chin from his hand and looked down at my lap again, embarrassed at what I had just admitted. I looked anywhere but his eyes. They just drew me in, and I didn’t think I could take it after what had just slipped out of my mouth. It still surprised me that I had said it, but I was definitely known for my blatant honesty. It was like I just couldn’t help myself.

  “I don’t think you’re crazy, Chelsea, because I feel the same thing,” he said softly, pulling my eyes to his once more.

  “But that’s impossible, isn’t it? I mean, we don’t even know each other. It’s crazy,” I whispered.

  “No, it’s not crazy if that’s what you feel,” he replied, and then he leaned towards me.

  I knew that he was going to kiss me, and I knew that I should stop it, but his eyes held me frozen in place. His eyes seemed to swallow me whole, and then his lips met mine. My eyes fell closed and then light exploded behind my eyelids. I melted into him, and I felt him arms going around my back, crushing me to his chest.

  He nipped my bottom lip with his teeth, and I gasped. Then his tongue plunged inside my mouth and our tongues met and twisted together. His tongue teased mine, and then he sucked it, sending shivers through my whole body. My hands went around him, trying to pull him closer, but our bodies were already molded together.

  It was only the sting of pain in my palms that pulled me back to rational thought, and I gasped as I broke the kiss and pulled away from him. He leaned back and looked at me with a concerned expression. I must have had a look of horror or panic on my face because his next words surprised me.

  “Are you okay, Chelsea?” he asked me tenderly. I reached for the crutches and stood from the couch. Zeke was immediately on his feet trying to help me.

  “Please, just give me a moment. Please,” I begged of him. He remained where he was as I hobbled a few feet away. My back was to him, and I could not see the expression on his face, but I needed to gain my composure first. I took a few deep breaths to steady my nerves and try to calm my racing heart. Then turned to face him.

  “What just happened? I mean, I know what happened, but the intensity. I…I…um…I don’t even know what to say. That has never happened to me before. I mean, I’ve kissed before, but that, it was like I had no control. Like we had done that a million times before. It felt like I knew you. That I belonged to you,” I finally managed to gasp out, shocked by my own words.

  “Chelsea,” he said softly, but I held up my hand to stop him from saying more.

  “No, please. I need some time. I just need some time to think. Can I use the shower in there?” I asked him, pointing in the direction of the bedroom where I had slept the night before.

  “Would you rather I take you back to the resort? I mean, so you can have some clean clothes?” he asked softly. My head cocked to the side and I watched him
closely. That really was a better idea, and I nodded at him.

  “Okay, let me go grab your bag and shoes and then I’ll drive you,” he said, and then he left the room. I walked back over and sat down on the couch, dropping my face into my hands.

  What in the world had just happened to me? And why did I always have to say exactly what I was thinking? I had been completely honest with him. I had lost complete control because it had felt so right. Being in his arms and having his lips on mine had felt like coming home, and that scared the hell out of me. I felt a chill run down my spine.

  As much as it scared me, I also could not deny the idea that it had felt so right. Somehow, I knew that Zeke would never hurt me and that I had no reason to fear him, but the fact that I had never experienced anything like that before had me cowering. Had he been honest when he said that he felt the same thing? It was all so confusing, and I just could not wrap my mind around it.

  When Zeke returned to the room, he had my backpack and hiking boots in his hand. He knelt on the floor in front of me and slipped my one boot on my good foot.

  “You don’t have to do that for me,” I said quietly. He raised his head and his eyes met mine.

  “I know, but I was being honest when I told you that I felt it too. The connection. It’s the reason that I offered to take you back now. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me. So, let me do this one last thing for you, okay?” he asked softly. I nodded my agreement, and he finished lacing up my boot.

  When he finished, he held out his hand and I put my hand in his, allowing him to help me up from the couch. When the crutches were once again under my arms, I followed him through the house and into the garage. I didn’t know much about cars, but the silver Porsche that he led me to had my jaw dropping. It was a beauty, and I could definitely appreciate beautiful things.

  He helped me get settled into the passenger seat, and then he wedged the crutches in beside me. Not the most comfortable, but it would do. As we made our way down the long, winding driveway, I looked back at the front of the house. It was massive.