Page 42 of Protecting Salvation

Chapter13

“Where are we going?”

Peyton turned to look at Warren as he grasped her hand in his, a sexy grin flirting at the corner of his lips. “You’ll see.”

“But it’s close enough that we can walk?”

“Yes.”

“And Bertie can come?”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, clearly not going to answer any more questions. In the last week, she’d had more sex than should be humanly possible and she was loving life. Warren wasn’t just the best man she knew, he was a fucking rockstar in bed. Her pleasure was always at the forefront of his mind. He made her feel like the sexiest woman on the planet. Fuck, in the world. Her body was awake and now it craved him all the time.

They crossed the fields and she thought perhaps she might have an idea where they were going but didn’t say. He was putting himself out to do something nice for her and she didn’t want to spoil the surprise, and it was a good one.

“What were you like as a child, Warren?” Her curiosity about him was endless, she wanted to know everything. He paused and she wondered if he didn’t want to answer. “You don’t have to tell me. I was just being nosey. It’s my job, and sometimes my filter is off.”

He stopped them in the middle of the field and leaned in to kiss her, both her hands in his. Just like every other time she got swept up in him. He had the ability to make her feel safe and alive all at once. Her life had been lonely, older parents meant she didn’t attend kid’s groups and missed out on parties because they were just so busy with the farm. Later, when she was a teen, she’d felt more like their caretaker as they got older and frailer. She never minded, they were wonderful parents and she’d loved them, but her life was lonely and it had bled into her adult life too.

The habit of saying no to things was forged in stone for a long time until she’d met Aoife and they’d bonded but her social group had been small until recently. Over the last few years, she’d been somewhat adopted by these black ops teams. First to help with past traumas, and now current ones. She’d been cleared by Jack and signed paperwork which held her accountable if news of their existence ever came out.

It was still odd though because she wasn’t a team member in any way. She was still an outsider but these last few weeks she’d felt like she’d been sucked into this big family and it was good, great, and scary as hell because what if it didn’t last?

“Sugar, nothing is off limits to you. My life is an open book. It’s a boring book but it’s yours to read.”

Peyton laughed as they continued to walk. “You’re the least boring person I know, Warren.”

“I was a little shit as a kid. Wild, always getting into scrapes. I got bored easily and didn’t exactly enjoy school. I’m sure I’m responsible for ninety percent of my parent’s grey hair.”

“You’re not like that now?”

He shook his head. “No. When I hit my teens I got really big and soon learned that getting into fights when I had such an advantage would get me in serious trouble. I was always the first person they pointed a finger at, even if I was nowhere near the fight. So I settled down, turned my adrenalin towards working out, lifting weights, and then the RAF cadets.”

“Your parents must be proud.”

“I guess, in their own way. If they had a choice though, I think they’d rather see me running the family construction company with my dad and uncle.”

“It’s funny how parents want their kids to follow their dreams sometimes.”

He nodded but her attention was caught on the two easels set up near the river, a picnic basket set up on a blanket.

She squeezed his hand, turning toward him with a smile. “What’s all this?”

“Well, you said you wanted to try a sip and paint and missed the sign-up so I figured we could give it a go here.”

Peyton threw her arms around his neck and he laughed, lifting her off the ground as she crushed her lips to his. “Thank you. This is so sweet.”

“Just what I always wanted to hear.” His deep chuckle made the space between her legs pulse.

“You’re so getting lucky tonight.”

“More like it, sugar, but for the record, I feel lucky every second I get to spend with you.”

“Warren, you can’t say things like that and not expect me to jump your bones.”

His warm laugh slid over her like honey as he let her slide down his body, his erection pressing against her belly. “Can’t wait. Now let’s see what we’ve got.”

He tapped her ass as he inspected the paints and then poured her a glass of Prosecco, adding a couple of strawberries to her glass.