Page 97 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

“No. I need to know.” Tears roll down her cheeks, which are blotchy and smeared with mascara. “I need to know who I can trust. My father, my fath...my own father.”

I pull her against my chest as she sobs her heart out.

Jesus fuck.

Stella’s entire reality has been destroyed. The parents who raised her, the family she believed to be where she belonged and could trust, have been ripped from her.

In the most horrible way.

“Christ,” I say into her hair as I kiss her forehead over and over.

“You don’t have to. I just wanted to know,” Stella’s voice is vulnerable and soft.

I take her face and almost die from how beautiful and raw she is.

“I love you. I fucking love you,” I reply roughly. “I don’t break into people’s homes and shoot them for just any girl, you know.”

Three blinks, and I watch as her world changes.

Not because I told her a lie, or what she wanted to hear, but because she belongs to me and I need her to know that.

A hint of a smile appears on her lips, and her eyes start to come back to life.

“If I find out you have, Declan Sloan, I swear to God...”

“Then you can do whatever you want to me.” I tweak her cheek; then I glance around. “I don’t have any of this. I’m not a rich man. But you have me. My heart. My protection. My commitment to always put you first.”

“All I need is you.” Stella’s smile is teary.

I lower my mouth to hers and let her feel my love and devotion. Then lift her and carry her up to the bathroom.

Together we rip the expensive wedding dress from her body, and the lingerie, promising to burn it as the tub fills. As we wait, I never let more than a foot separate us, but as the water cascades into the large spa bath, I can’t help but wonder what that asshole did to her.

Did he touch you?

Please don’t be revolted by me now.

Lifting her into the tub, I climb in behind her and wrap my legs around her. Stella leans back into me.

Running the sponge over her slowly, it feels like I’m washing away all the sin and darkness. She lets me touch her everywhere, after a while pushing my hand between her legs when I keep away from the area.

“Do it,” she says.

“Stella.”

“Do it. Wipe him from my body and memory.” She demands.

Tossing the sponge, I part her legs and slide my fingers through her sensitive flesh. Her head flops back against me.

“This is mine,” I rasp, moving gently but with purpose. “Your pleasure belongs to me, Stella. Only me.”

“Yes,” she sighs, and then I hear her moan. I take it as a positive and press two digits inside her.

“Oh, God.”

My mouth claims her neck as I fuck her pussy with my hand, feeling her eagerly tightening around my fingers.

“No one else gets to touch you, just me. Are we clear?”