Royally Not Ready(69)

Keller moves off me and then helps me to my wobbly feet. He loops his arm around my waist and slowly helps me to the edge of my bed, where I take a deep breath. “What . . . what was it?”

Lara appears at the door and says, “An unlatched window blew open from the wind and broke when it hit the wall.” She sticks her handgun in the back of her pants. “All rooms have been cleared. We’re going to fasten wood to the window and secure it shut.”

“Okay,” Keller says. “I’ll help.” He takes one step but I’m clutching his hand before he can move any farther.

Call it the adrenaline, call it all the talk of wanting to keep me safe, but in a short minute, I went from sleeping like an angel to a freaking nervous wreck, and I need comfort. “Please stay with me.” My lip still trembles.

He eyes me, and I notice the minute he sees that I need him to stay, because he softly nods. “Do you two have it covered?”

“Yes,” Brimar says. “We’ll take care of it. Sorry about the disturbance.”

When they leave, I’m still shaking. “That was . . . that was terrifying.”

In the corner of my room is an armchair, and Keller drags it closer to my bed and takes a seat. “Yes, but nothing to worry about, it was just the wind.”

“Well, the wind needs to take a chill pill.” I blow out a heavy breath. “Jeez.” When my eyes meet Keller’s, I tilt my head to the side and ask, “Did Brimar call you Rogue and call me Gisla?”

“Yes. Those are our code names.”

“Why Gisla?”

“Princess Gisla, strong-willed and independent. Felt suitable for you.” He grabs the blankets of my bed and tugs them down so I can slip in. “Go back to bed.”

“My heart is still hammering. There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep now. And not to sound like I’m the biggest wuss in the world, but I’m also still slightly terrified with what happened.”

“Do you need to talk about it?”

“Yes, that would be great.” Not giving him a second to respond, I continue, “What would’ve happened if it was an intruder?”

“Well, Brimar and Lara would have done exactly what they did, gone room to room looking for any suspicious behavior, and I would’ve been here with you. Now, if someone entered our room, I would’ve shielded you. I told you, I would do everything within me to protect you.”

“What if the person had a gun or a knife or something?”

“I would have fought them off. Just like Brimar and Lara, I’ve gone through extensive training.”

“And what if you got hurt?” I ask, the thought of him taking a bullet making me feel physically ill.

“That’s nothing you need to worry about.”

I sit up. “But I am worried about it. I care about you, Keller.”

“It’s my job to put you first, so I would’ve done anything to protect you. If that means getting hurt in the process, then so be it.”

“How can you be so casual about it?”

“Because your life matters more than mine,” he answers.

“I don’t like that answer.”

“But it’s the correct one.” When I don’t respond, he says, “Go on, get back under your covers.”

“I don’t want to.” My hands shake. “I have too many thoughts running through my mind.” My eyes connect with his. “You’d really protect me, even if that meant you getting hurt?”

“Yes,” he answers with a pause.

My teeth clench together as I slip my legs off the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

I stand, and as he watches my every step, I close the space between us until I’m right in front of him.

“Lilly,” he rasps out.

I kneel on one side of his chair, and then the other, straddling his lap. Like he does every night, he’s only wearing his briefs, so when I lower myself down, I feel him beneath me.

Breathing out a long, tortured breath, his hands fall to my waist. “Lilly, what are you doing?”

I place my hands on his chest, his thick pecs twitching under my touch.

“Lilly, you know I won’t be able to stop you.”

“I know,” I whisper as I move my hands to his neck and lean forward. “But I can’t stop myself either.” I lower my head to his ear and drag my lips over his cheek. He sucks in a sharp breath while his fingers at my waist dig into my skin. “Never in my entire life, have I ever had someone treat me the way you do. You’re the knight I never knew I needed. You offer me safety and solace. Just being in your arms makes me feel more comfortable than anywhere else on this planet. And I don’t know what to do about it other than show you how it makes me feel.”

“Lilly, please, I can’t . . .”

I rock my hips, moving my pelvis over his growing bulge.

“Fuck,” he whispers as his head falls back, giving me access to his throat. I take advantage of it and pepper kisses along his fiery skin.

“You make me whole, Keller.” I kiss up his jaw. “You make me feel safe.” I move closer to his mouth. “You make me feel cherished.” I hover my lips just above his. “You make me feel like I matter.” And then I lower my lips to his, giving him the faintest of kisses, and pause, waiting to see what he does.