Page 9

Briar

Did that really just happen?

I gasp, my mind spinning, trying to grasp what just unfolded. My lips are still tingling from his kiss, and my heart is pounding so hard I’m convinced he can hear it. This is foreign territory for me, uncharted waters, and I’m totally lost at sea.

This man. Orion.

He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. I take a shaky breath, still clinging onto him, trying to make sense of it all. He’s strong—like, really strong—physically, but also in this quiet, commanding way that makes you feel safe just being near him. But at the same time, there’s this softness in him too. This side of him I’ve glimpsed in the little moments, like when he made me mac and cheese, or when he turned on Criminal Minds for me because he knows it makes me feel at home.

He’s smart, funny, with this dry sense of humor that always catches me off guard. And he's kind. Kind in a way that surprises me every time, especially considering what he does for a living. You’d think someone who spends their life protecting others would be hardened, but not Orion. He’s the opposite. He’s gentle, careful, and understanding in a way that makes me melt.

It’s almost too much, too perfect. Guys like this? They’re the ones you read about in romance novels, not the ones who actually show up in your life. They’re the complete package. And girls like me? Well, we don’t end up with the complete package kind of guy. We end up with the Jasons of the world—the ones who seem perfect at first, but who slowly unravel, revealing their flaws one by one until you’re left wondering how you didn’t see it sooner.

But this is Orion. He’s not Jason. He’s not like any guy I’ve ever known.

His eyes lock onto mine, and I feel like he’s seeing right through me. It’s like he can read every thought swirling in my mind, every doubt, every insecurity. My breath catches in my throat, and I grip onto him tighter, because the truth is, I don’t want to let him go.

I don’t just want him. I need him. I need more of him, more of this—whatever this is between us. And the way he’s looking at me right now, like he’s trying to figure out how the hell we ended up here too, makes me feel like he needs this.

And that thought, that possibility, makes me feel like I’m flying.

“I’m sorry—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off, my voice barely steady, but firm. I will literally cry if he tries to backpedal right now. I can’t let this moment slip away. Not after everything that’s happened, not after the way my heart just flipped inside my chest. “Don’t,” I whisper again, my lips brushing against his, my breath mingling with his, as I pull him closer to me.

For a second, everything seems to stand still. The ocean, the world, the universe. It all fades away. There’s nothing but him and me, locked in this moment.

His hesitation melts as I close the distance between us, and then his mouth opens over mine. The kiss deepens. His lips are warm, firm, but soft at the same time. It’s not just a kiss—it’s something more, something that feels like I’ve been waiting for it my entire life. His tongue slides into my mouth, tracing circles against mine, and I shiver under the sensation. A surge of warmth rushes through me, making my knees weak.

I cling to him like he’s my anchor, the only thing keeping me grounded in the storm that’s swirling inside me. Every stroke of his tongue sends sparks of electricity through my body, like we’re communicating in a language only we understand.

I can feel his heartbeat through his chest, matching the frantic pace of mine. His hands find their way to my waist, pulling me even closer, as though he’s afraid I might slip away. But there’s no chance of that. Not now, not ever.

I lose myself in him, in the taste of him, in the feeling of his body pressed against mine. It’s overwhelming and intoxicating, and I never want it to end. Every nerve in my body is alight, humming with a sensation I’ve never felt before. It’s as if I’ve been searching for this kiss my whole life, and now that I’ve found it, I don’t know how I’ll ever live without it.

He rests his hands on my hip, and I grind against him. He growls against my ear, and my heartbeat picks up speed.

He’s rock hard beneath me and I can feel every single inch of him, and boy, are there so many.

This thought spurs me on, and I grind against him again.

“You keep that up and I might just take you back inside and fuck you til the sun goes down.”

I want to tell him to do just that, but this isn’t right, right? I mean, he’s my bodyguard.

Besides, does he do this with all the women he protects?

That thought right there has me climbing off his lap. The mood vanishes quickly between us. Oh god. I’m mortified. He probably sleeps with all the women he’s assigned to.

“I’m sorry,” I say, rushing back toward his house, my feet kicking up sand in my wake.

I don’t bother to turn around to see if he’s chasing after me. Hopefully he isn’t.

I feel foolish, caught in a whirlwind of emotions as soon as I step back into Orion's place. With a quick motion, I let Jeb out of his cage, and the little bird flutters around the room before landing on my shoulder.

“Jeb hungry!” he squawks, his voice loud and demanding.

“I’m going to feed Jeb now,” I reply, trying to match his enthusiasm as I navigate my way into the kitchen with him. Establishing a routine for Jeb has become my small act of normalcy in a life that feels anything but. I hate that I’ve uprooted him from his familiar surroundings, and the guilt gnaws at me. All because of Jason.

The kitchen is bright, sunlight pouring through the window, but it does little to warm the chill creeping into my heart. I can’t shake the worry that when this is all over, when the dust settles and I’m back in my own life, Jason will still be lurking in the shadows. He’s made it clear before—he once told me he’d always want me. Was that just a desperate attempt to hold onto something he knew he was losing? Will a restraining order actually keep him away, or will it only make him more determined?

As I busily prepare Jeb’s lunch—chopping up fresh fruits and nuts—my thoughts spiral. I try to focus on the task at hand, but each slice of fruit feels heavy with the weight of my uncertainty. I can almost feel Jason’s presence looming behind me. Jeb hops to the countertop, watching me with curious, beady eyes, and I find a bit of comfort in his innocent gaze.

“Hang tight, Jeb. You’re going to love this,” I say, forcing a smile as I mix together his favorite snacks.

The sliding back door opens, and Orion steps inside, the early afternoon light casting a warm glow around him.

“Hey,” he whispers, stepping closer, his voice low and filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

I busy myself with Jeb, the little parrot perched on the kitchen counter, and force a smile, trying to mask the swirl of emotions inside. “I’m fine,” I breathe out, but my heart races under his gaze.

“I’m sorry… about earlier. I didn’t mean to…” His words trail off, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks, heat radiating from the memory of that kiss.

“It’s fine. It was my fault. I’ve just never had…” Oh god, I can’t tell him I’ve never had a man look at me the way he looked at me. Or touched me the way he did. Or kissed me, for that matter. The weight of my confession hangs in the air, heavy and unspoken.

“Never had what?” he asks, inching closer, curiosity etched on his handsome features.

I glance down at my bare feet, realizing I’ve tracked sand into his pristine kitchen, little grains sparkling on the white tile like tiny reminders of our day at the beach. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I’ve tracked sand inside,” I stammer, feeling utterly mortified.

Orion lifts a hand, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm, and I feel a shiver run down my spine at his touch. “Forget about it,” he says, his voice steady and warm. “You’ve never had what?” he prompts again, his eyes searching mine with genuine interest.

I stop fidgeting and take a deep breath, gazing into his eyes that seem to hold a thousand unspoken words. “It’s nothing,” I say, busily finishing up Jeb’s snack.

Orion drops the subject, locking the slider as he pulls the blinds closed. “Next time don’t run away from me. When we’re out of this house, you stay with me at all times.”

I glance at my feet once more. “I’m sorry. I just…” I don’t want to tell him why I ran. I don’t want to voice what I know to be true.

Orion sleeps with all the women he protects, and I’m just another notch on the bedpost for him. I feel ashamed.

Orion studies me for a moment and then wanders off down the hall, shutting himself into his office.

I feel so foolish I could scream, but I won’t. Instead I feed Jeb, and then head off to the bathroom to take a long, hot shower, and try my hardest to forget about that kiss.

However, easier said than done.

I grip my broom tightly, my heart drumming a frantic beat in my chest. Focus, Briar, I remind myself, sweeping up the stray feathers and bits of bird poop scattered across the walkway. The humid air in the aviary clings to my skin, and the chorus of parrots and cockatoos provides the usual soundtrack to my workday. Normally, the chatter is comforting. Today, it only heightens my nerves.

Orion stands a few paces behind me, his tall frame impossible to miss even if I weren’t trying to ignore him. I can feel his presence like a static charge in the air, prickling the hairs on the back of my neck. We haven’t spoken much since yesterday, when he kissed me on the beach. It was a kiss that turned my world upside down, and I’m doing everything I can to push it out of my mind while I’m on the clock. But how can I forget when he’s right here, watching my every move?

I shove the broom across the concrete path a little more forcefully than necessary, trying to channel my racing thoughts into something productive. Usually, work is my escape. But now, the sense of security I normally find here has been overshadowed by the constant buzz of fear that Jason could appear at any moment. Don’t be ridiculous, Briar , I scold myself for the hundredth time. He can’t just waltz in here without a ticket or a plan.

Still, I catch myself checking every corner, every shadow. The flutter of feathers from the cockatiels makes my heart jump, and when a man with blond hair brushes past me, I freeze, thinking it’s Jason for a split second. My mouth goes dry, and I have to swallow down a wave of panic before I realize it’s just a stranger, a random guest. Not Jason.

From behind, I sense Orion shifting his stance. Is he about to come over? My heart skitters at the possibility. Focus, Briar. Sweep. I force my attention back to my broom, inhaling through my nose as I bend to collect some stray feathers.

I catch sight of my coworker, Heath, approaching with a sympathetic smile. He’s wearing the standard khaki uniform minus the Tweed jacket, and there's a half-eaten granola bar in his hand. “Everything okay?” he asks, concern etched in his brow. “You look kinda frazzled.”

“I’m fine,” I lie, pulling the broom close to my side, my knuckles turning white around the handle. I glance over my shoulder without thinking. Orion’s dark eyes meet mine, and the intensity there makes my pulse spike all over again. I snap my gaze back to Heath. “Just a little jumpy, that’s all.”

Heath bites his lip, looking like he doesn’t quite believe me. “You sure? You’ve been glancing around like you’re expecting someone to jump out at you.”

I force a shaky laugh. “Don’t be silly. Probably just had too much coffee this morning.” My attempt at a joke falls flat, and Heath’s concerned expression deepens.

Suddenly, someone tall and imposing steps in from my left, and my nerves jolt again. But this time, it’s Orion. He’s practically towering over both of us, arms crossed, eyes flicking between Heath and me. “Briar,” he says in a low voice, “you all right?”

My cheeks blaze. The way he says my name wraps me in warmth, even though I’m painfully aware of how transparent I must look. “I’m—”

“She was just telling me she’s fine,” Heath interjects, sounding doubtful.

Orion’s gaze slides toward Heath, assessing him with a cool detachment I’ve come to recognize as his protective mode. “Thanks,” he says curtly, turning his attention back to me. “I’ll take it from here.”

Heath raises his hands in a gesture of surrender. “All right, no problem. I was just—”

“Thank you for checking in, Heath,” I say, cutting off any friction before it starts. He nods and heads off, leaving me alone with Orion.

The air crackles with tension as Orion steps closer, his stance stiff, his expression unreadable. “You sure you’re good?” He lowers his voice, leaning in slightly so only I can hear. “You keep looking around like you’re expecting Jason to pop up.”

“I’m just... paranoid, I guess,” I admit, hugging the broom handle for dear life. “Every time I see someone with blond hair, I think it’s him.”

Orion’s jaw tightens. I can see the muscle flex beneath his skin. “He’s not going to get near you. Not while I’m here.”

His alpha confidence sends a strange mixture of relief and butterflies through me. “I appreciate it,” I whisper, glancing away. For a moment, I wonder if he’s remembering that kiss the same way I am. My lips still tingle at the memory.

Orion shifts closer, and I catch a whiff of his aftershave. “If you see anything—anyone—suspicious, you tell me. Immediately.”

I nod, my stomach churning with fear and something else I can’t name. “Right.”

His eyes flick over me, making sure I’m steady. “Now, why don’t you finish your shift? I’ll be right here if you need me.”

I let out a slow breath and manage a small smile. “Thanks.”

With that, he steps back, giving me space—but not too much. I can still sense him behind me, vigilant, ready to pounce if a threat arises. Part of me feels reassured, but another part feels unsettled by how much I like having him so close.

Trying to ignore the sudden warmth in my chest, I refocus on the scattered feathers on the ground. I push the broom forward, forcing myself to concentrate. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t entirely shake the sensation of Orion’s eyes on me, watching, keeping me safe... and making me think of that kiss I can’t seem to forget.