Protecting Phoebe
With her life on the line, can she protect her heart?
A Chances Are story.
Phoebe’s work at Second Chances, a women’s shelter, has gone a long way toward her own healing after surviving an abusive relationship in college. She’s moved on in every sense—except when it comes to dating.
Everything changes when Craig visits the shelter. The hot, young cop sets her pulse racing in a way that makes her consider making a move—and moving him into her bed for a casual fling. The first step: ask him out. Subtly, of course.
Craig has been attracted to Phoebe for months, so he’s more than happy for the chance to get to know her better, in bed and out. His interest goes way beyond casual, but convincing her to think long term is going to take some time.
When it becomes clear her violent ex has come out of the woodwork, though, time is the one thing they don’t have…
EXCERPT
Damn but if he didn’t want to just cup her face and run his thumbs over the cheeks, before taking her lips in a hard kiss.
What would she taste like? What kinds of sweet sounds would she make when he sank his tongue deep into her mouth?
Phoebe shifted next to him, as if sensing his sensual thoughts. Her thigh scratched against his.
A hint of desire flashed in her eyes, pushing his primitive side further to the surface.
Wanting to test her limits, he gave a slight smile, still holding her gaze, and let his right hand rest on her knee.
A small, visible tremble ran through her and he heard the shift in her breathing.
Never mind if the band sucked, the idea of getting her on the dance floor and pressing those sweet female curves against his body held entirely too much appeal.
“Dance with me?” His words were soft, and though he’d meant it to be a question, it sounded far more like a command.
He half expected her to turn him down, instead she tilted her head and gave a slight nod.
“Why not?”
Setting his beer on the table, he slid out of the booth and held out his hand to her.
She took it and he curled his fingers around hers, tugging her to her feet and onto the dance floor.
Finding a space in the crowd of dancers, Craig slipped his hand low on her hip and pulled her close.
God, she was so completely in over her head. Phoebe swallowed hard, but didn’t protest when he pulled her body snug against his.
Their bodies ground together, moving to the snapping bass of the funk song. She felt the thick curl of his cock—which had to be semi-erect—just above her pelvis.
He moved his hand behind her hip, almost cupping her ass cheek, his other hand on her upper back, pressing her close.
She bit back a groan as moisture gathered heavily between her legs, her nipples tightening under her shirt.
The way they danced wasn’t particularly dirty, almost every couple on the floor danced in a similar fashion. But the way he moved against her had to be a promise of what he’d be like in bed.
And she wanted him there. All too much. This was crazy. She closed her eyes when he nuzzled her ear. Absolute insanity.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body closer to him, grinding her hips against his.
His breathing grew heavier and his cock stirred against her, grew harder.
He caught her chin with firm fingers, lifting her head. He gave her no warning before his mouth slanted softly across hers.
Heat exploded in her belly at the first light caress. The second pass of his mouth over hers came firmer, his tongue sliding easily between her lips to flick against hers.
Phoebe’s head swam, the room tilted and she had to tighten her grip on him to stay grounded.
He lifted his head with a groan and pressed her head back against his shoulder.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“Don’t you dare apologize.”
He laughed and the hot rush of air from his mouth against her ear almost made her legs weak.
“Okay. Then I won’t.”
His tongue slid along the curve of her ear and she stumbled with a gasp.
He gave a husky laugh and she flushed. He knew exactly what he’d done to her with that little tongue trick.
“Easy, baby,” he murmured and then lifted his head a bit.
Disappointment stabbed that he’d put another inch between them. Just when things were getting good.
She was at the point where she didn’t care. She’d gone far too long without a man, and here was Craig, ready to make her feel like a woman again. Make her feel alive.
Maybe it was because he was a cop, and it made her more inclined to trust him. That he wouldn’t hurt her and he’d never be the type to abuse a woman—even as her logical side knew that theory was crap.
Statistics had long proven that police officers had a high rate of abusive behavior. But somehow, on a gut level, she knew she had nothing to worry about with Craig.
She trusted him. Even if she had no reason to, she did. And it scared the hell out of her. But at the same time, she wanted him. Wanted to do spontaneous, crazy things she’d never done in her life. Had been afraid to do after Rick.
Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that Craig was younger. He was sexy, confident, and endearing. Plain and simple, he made all the bells and whistles in her body come to life. So why the hell shouldn’t she take this step? It didn’t have to be serious. It didn’t even have to be a relationship. It could just be one night of sex if she wanted. And right now? She wanted.
She lifted her head from the curve of his neck and leaned back a bit, meeting his heated gaze.
“Come home with me tonight.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes before they burned even hotter and his nostrils flared.
“You sure you know what you’re asking, Phoebe?”
“I know damn well what I’m asking,” she fired back and gave him a slow smile. “Do you know what your answer will be?”
His gaze lowered to her mouth. “My answer would be…whose place is closer?”