Under His Protection
Chapter 9

With the back of his fingers, he stroked the side of her face as he looked down at her. “Let’s take this into the bedroom,” he said. Getting up he lifted her into his arms and headed to her room and laid her down on the bed. Laying down beside her he pulled her close. “You have to know how much I care about you.”

“I bet you say that to all the women you sleep with.”

Taking her hand he started kissing her fingers, one by one. “That’s where you are wrong. I’ve never said that to anyone before and never wanted to spend the night with them. You’re so different from the others. Will you allow me to sleep in here with you?”

“I’d be insulted if you didn’t,” she answered as she cuddled closer to him. “I’d feel safer with you lying next to me.”

Morning: He came out of the shower to replace her wearing his shirt. Yes, it’s cliche but still sexy as hell to see a woman wearing nothing but a man’s shirt. Going over he put his arms around her waist as he stood behind her. “What’s that you’re taking?” he asked when he saw her popping a pill.

“It’s birth control.”

“Birth control. If you’re on the pill why did we need to use a condom?”

“Are you serious? You must know that the pill is not 100 percent safe. Also, we have to think of diseases.”

“If that’s what you’re worried about there’s no need to be. I always use a condom so I’m clean and I know you are too. But I guess you are right, better to be safe than sorry.” He pulled her onto his lap, his hand moved up her thigh. “God, these legs of yours I could lick and suck on them all day.”

Squirming she tried to break free. “Zane stop, I have to get ready for work.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get there in time but first I need to do something.”

“What?” she asked. She giggled when she realized what he had in mind.

After showering and getting dressed they headed to the studio. Jade was surprised that they made it in time for her to have her hair and makeup done and got into the outfit she was given to put on. She couldn’t help but be nervous when she walked over to the spot where she had to stand. Her eyes drifted upwards to the lighting, and then when she looked over at Zane she felt better. As promised he had made sure everything was safe by checking it out himself.

Zane stood off to the side, watching and listening. He went thinned lip, his hands rolled up into fists when Reggie went over, giving Jade a hug and kissing her on her cheek. His hand had snaked around her waist and held her close while he had a few words with her. Zane saw red when he removed her robe, she had a sexy bra and panties on. She looked so damn hot and it turned his stomach that Reggie was so close to her.

Reggie knew he was watching and was enjoying seeing him squirm. It was obvious to him that Zane was falling for her. But then most guys did. She was every man’s dream, blonde, sexy and beautiful as hell. He would have liked to be with her but she had made it clear they would only have a professional relationship. Then Trevor Frost came into the picture and seeing the size of him and knowing his strength knew better than to make a move on her. Reggie took her face in his hands. “Good luck baby. Just relax and show off that radiant smile of yours.” He walked over to the opposite side of Zane to watch the shoot.

So far there was no trouble as they took several shots in different poses. Zane couldn’t understand why it took so many pictures for one ad, and it seemed to go on forever. After an hour the makeup lady went over to freshen her makeup. He stayed where he was, knowing if he got close he wouldn’t be able to resist kissing her. But they had to keep what was going on between them a secret, for now. He walked around, looked up to make sure nothing would fall and that there were no strangers lurking about. All was good.

After a short break, the photoshoot started again. Lights were flashing, music playing and people hustling back and forth. A couple of hours later they finally had the perfect shot they were looking for.

Reggie hurried over and handed her the robe to put on. “You did good baby and you looked beautiful. Now, why don’t you take a few days off, maybe get away for a while?”

Zane walked over and stepped in between them. “If you go get dressed we’ll be on our way. I don’t want you out in the open any longer than necessary.” Taking her arm walked her over to the dressing room. “I’ll be right outside this door waiting for you.” He grabbed her arm before she went in. “I just want to say how amazing you looked out there.”

She gave him a big smile. “Thank you,” she said and slipped away from his hold. When she was with Trevor he was always getting jealous when she modeled, they fought about it all the time. He wanted her to quit that job, said he’d take care of her but she wouldn’t have any of it. She was an independent woman and had always taken care of herself financially and she wasn’t about to stop. In her experience she found men to be possessive and controlling. But Zane was different. He didn’t seem to mind what she did for a living, but then again they only slept together, they weren’t a couple.

Once they got into the car he placed his hand on her knee, giving it a light squeeze. “Maybe Reggie was right. We should go away for a few days, get you out of the city for a while.”

“Where would we go?”

“I have this friend who owns a cottage. It’s about a three-hour drive from here and it’s right on the beach.” He glanced over at her, thinking how nice it would be to get her alone and away from all the danger she’s been through the past week. “So what do you think?”

“Laying on a beach, no work and getting out of the city.” She hummed, pretending to mull it over before answering. “I say hell yeah, let’s go.” She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. It would be nice to get away and relax, to forget about everything and everyone.

Back at her apartment while she packed he made some calls. One was to his partner to let him know where they were going. He also told him to check out Kenny and replace out his story. He still didn’t trust the man and suspected he wasn’t as disabled as he was letting on. He said goodbye and hung up the phone when Jade came out holding the bikini she was taking to wear on the beach. His eyes almost popped out when he imagined what she’d look like in it.

“You like?” she asked when she saw the look on his face.

Walking up to her he took it from her hand. “Oh yeah, this is nice. I can’t wait to see you in it and then take it off you.” He grinned, pulling her into his arms for a kiss.

Knowing where this was headed she pulled away. “I’m ready to go.”

Wiping his lips with his fingers he smiled, knowing that she knew what he wanted to do and stopped him. That was ok, he could wait. “Me too. We’ll stop when we get there and buy whatever we need for food.” Picking their bags up reminded her to set the alarm.

It didn’t seem to take that long to get to the small cottage, but that could be because they talked the whole way there. Zane told her how his mother hated being married to a cop so she divorced him and later remarried an accountant from New York. He moved with his mother but when he was old enough moved back with his father, and then she passed away from cancer. His father too had remarried and was now living in Florida. He also told her that he loved being a cop but his dream was to be a detective. He felt he could help more people and that they had more power.

“So that’s what you like, having power over people,” she said, not sure how she felt about that. It was obvious in bed how he liked being the one in charge, having power over her. But what the hell, she found it to be hot and a real turn-on. The way he took control of her, skillfully touched her body, making her beg for more. He was forceful, a tiny bit rough but never enough that it hurt, it was only done in a sexual way which was hot as hell.

“I wouldn’t say that, well maybe in the bedroom,” he said, a grin appearing on his face.

“Oh wow, what an amazing spot to have a cottage,” she said when she saw it was only steps from the beach and was isolated from everyone.

Grabbing their bags from the trunk he stood next to her. “It’s very private here. Let’s go in and you can have a look around. I think you’ll replace it small but comfortable.”

Jade liked the place, it was cozy. “Oh look, there’s a fireplace.”

“It gets cool sometimes at night. In here is the bedroom,” he said as he opened the door and laid their luggage on the bed. “So what would you like to do first? Eat or go for a swim?”

“I think we should eat first and then go to the beach. I’ll make some sandwiches while you make up the bed.” She handed him the clean sheets that were sitting on the dresser.” She really hoped that he wasn’t expecting her to do all the work.

“Sure, I don’t mind.” He gave her a sly grin. “But I don’t see the point of making the bed when we are only going to mess it up later when you beg me to make love to you.”

Laughing she tilted her head back. “Oh man, you are so full of yourself. It will be you doing the begging and I might take pity on you.” Smiling she left him standing there and went into the tiny kitchen. Putting the food away kept out what she needed to make their lunch.

They dined over BLT sandwiches, milk and pie for dessert.

Jade changed into her bikini in the bedroom, and Zane in the bathroom. He gathered up towels and a blanket and was ready to go when she entered the room. He almost dropped everything when he saw her. She looked like a sex goddess. He let out a disappointed grunt when she covered up with one of his shirts.

“Ready to go?” she asked, unaware of the effect her scantily clad body was having on him. That was until she looked down at the swimsuit he had on and the bulge inside, clearly showing how aroused he was.

Walking to the beach he laid the blanket down and she removed her shirt and sat down, holding a bottle of suntan lotion. “Would you mind rubbing some on my back?”

“With pleasure,” he answered, squirting some lotion on his hand and applying it to her back and neck when she moved her hair aside. He wanted to do her front and when she tried to take the bottle from him he held it away from her. “No, let me.” He took his time rubbing it up her leg, her stomach. Going really slow as he applied it to her chest and neck, his cock growing hard.

“My turn,” she said. Taking the lotion she applied it to him, moving her hands over his chest.