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And there was no line I wouldn’t cross to keep her safe.
No sin I wouldn’t commit.
No man I wouldn’t bury.
Because she was mine.
And I never let go of what’s mine.
I’d protect her with everything I had.
And destroy anything that dared come close.
10
GEMMA
Warmth anchored me before I even opened my eyes. A hard chest was pressed against my back, and a strong arm was slung around my waist. My neck was turned toward the heat, with my cheek resting against his ridiculously firm pec. The steady rhythm of a heartbeat thrummed beneath my ear.
It took a moment to remember where I was. And why I felt more at peace than I had in weeks.
Callum.
I didn’t move, giving myself time to feel the soft sheets beneath me and the quiet hush of early morning. I dragged the clean scent of soap and leather that clung to his skin into my lungs.
For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t afraid to fall apart. Wrapped in his arms, I knew I was safe.
My fingers moved without thinking, brushing lightly along the veins on the inside of his forearm where it rested against my ribs.
“I know you’re awake.” His voice was thick with sleep.
I smiled into his pec. “How?”
“Your breathing changed. And you’ve been tracing the same spot on my arm for the past five minutes.”
“Maybe I’m just an active sleeper,” I murmured.
“Not sure who’s been lyin’ to you, baby, but you sleep like a fucking log.” His chest shook as he chuckled. “Except for the drool, you barely moved all night.”
I twisted around to glare up at him. “I do not drool.”
He swept his thumb gently across my bottom lip. “Guess you’re right.”
“There’s no guessing about it,” I grumbled. “And there hasn’t been anyone to tell me how I sleep since I’ve never spent the night with a guy before, which you know after well…”
“You really gonna blush after I tasted almost every inch of your body?” He dragged his palm down my back to cup my butt. “I only missed a few spots, but I’ll make up for it later.”
A shiver raced up my spine at his sensual promise. One that I sadly couldn’t take advantage of now because we needed to stop by my studio to grab a few things before Callum got busy with work.
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Good.” He brushed his lips against mine. “We better get moving or I’ll end up buried in you for the rest of the day. Your pussy needs a break after last night, and we have shit to do.”
“Unfortunately,” I grumbled as he rolled us out of bed.
We got ready to head out, with Callum ducking down to the kitchen to snag us some coffee. Mine was made exactly how I liked it, which I was still grinning over half an hour later when we climbed on his motorcycle to drive to my house.
I thoroughly enjoyed being wrapped around his muscular body. Wishing the ride was longer, I pouted as I tugged my helmet off.